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Pale Skinned Baby, African Parents. Is It Vitiligo Or Albinism?
Question: we are both black african descendants and very dark in complexion and last week i gave birth to a baby so pale he looks white. he has gone a little bit darker but some days he looks whiter. how long does it take for babies to get darker or is there anything sinister behind his pale skin i should be worried about? could it be some type of vitiligo or albinism? his testicles are very dark though so i dont understand why the rest of his body is white.
Thankyou
Thankyou
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query
New born babies are usually born with a fair skin, but as the days go by and as the child start growing the skin pigmentation turns to the genetically predetermined color, the color of either of the parents.
The conversion of the fair skin to the relatively dark color takes place within few months after the child is born. The color of the testicles usually remains darker than the rest of the body and this is a normal phenomenon.
The description you have given does not seem to be of Albinism or Vitiligo. In Albinism there will be depigmentation of the eyelashes and the hairs apart from the skin. And in Vitiligo there will be patches of hypo as well as normal pigmentation of the skin which can be readily identified.
A new born child in the initial days looks pale on few occasions is because of the physiological jaundice. No need to worry, you are having a normal child. If any problem would have existed then your doctors would have notified that to you.
Hope I have answered your query, if you have any more doubts you are welcome.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Thanks for the query
New born babies are usually born with a fair skin, but as the days go by and as the child start growing the skin pigmentation turns to the genetically predetermined color, the color of either of the parents.
The conversion of the fair skin to the relatively dark color takes place within few months after the child is born. The color of the testicles usually remains darker than the rest of the body and this is a normal phenomenon.
The description you have given does not seem to be of Albinism or Vitiligo. In Albinism there will be depigmentation of the eyelashes and the hairs apart from the skin. And in Vitiligo there will be patches of hypo as well as normal pigmentation of the skin which can be readily identified.
A new born child in the initial days looks pale on few occasions is because of the physiological jaundice. No need to worry, you are having a normal child. If any problem would have existed then your doctors would have notified that to you.
Hope I have answered your query, if you have any more doubts you are welcome.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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