Intrauterine big toenail imprints: A new cause of congenital skin dimples

Pediatr Dermatol. 2020 Jan;37(1):226-227. doi: 10.1111/pde.14022. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

Abstract

Congenital skin dimples (SD) are small cutaneous depressions that can be noted on any part of the body and may be caused by traumatic, mechanical, metabolic, and genetic factors as well as by exposure to infections or drugs. We describe 3 cases of unrelated healthy newborns displaying SD and discuss as a possible explanation the persistent friction of the big toenail onto the immature skin of the fetus during intrauterine life causing as depression in the skin.

Keywords: congenital dimples; intrauterine dimples; skin dimples; skin dimpling.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cicatrix / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Nails*
  • Prenatal Injuries / etiology*
  • Skin / injuries*
  • Skin Abnormalities / etiology*
  • Skin Diseases / congenital
  • Skin Diseases / etiology
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / etiology
  • Thigh
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / etiology