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Original poster

Can anyone tell me what this is?

29 replies

SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 22:54

DD has what looks like a hole just above her anus, but obviously it doesn't go anywhere. I noticed it when she was born, and the MW or paediatrician mentioned it too (I think they said a "pronounced..." something, but not to worry as it was closed off). In my post childbirth haze I didn't think to ask questions but I want to know what it is! Will it vanish as she grows or will she have it for the rest of her life? How common is it? Will it mean she's more susceptible to infection?

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Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:03

bump - obviously I'm fairly reluctant to google

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bigstripeytiger · 19/10/2010 23:05

Was it a sacral dimple?

winnybella · 19/10/2010 23:05

A hole? Can you be more specific? You mean a little indentation?

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:06

OK have been lured
looks like it's fairly common and mostly occurs in hairy males
Shock
My DD is not hairy!

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Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:08

so it's linked to SNs and spina bifida Confused

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Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:09

thanks for the link btw

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twirlymum · 19/10/2010 23:09

My niece has two of these, they are quite deep. My sister was just told to keep them extra clean, as they can get infected. Shouldn't cause any problems though, although she was checked for spina bifida.

mrspear · 19/10/2010 23:10

My DS had one and it has now gone - a year later. As long as it is closed and ped would have checked then don't worry

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:11

not sure whether to be worried or not...think I will ask someone about it

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suzikettles · 19/10/2010 23:11

Dh's god son has something that sounds like this and with him it is a mild, mild form of spina bifida. It's caused him no problems whatsoever (he's 15 now).

Having said that, a friend had an operation a few years ago to remove a pilodontal sinus (sp? I'm not sure about the first part) which also sounds similar. She was also fine but then had a few infections caused by ingrowing hairs so they removed it.

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:12

x post
OK thanks
Never realised it would be linked to something so serious (though it seems obvious now) it has shaken me a bit

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suzikettles · 19/10/2010 23:13

Sorry, just googled it. It's called a pilonidal sinus. And yes, hairy truckers are apparently more prone to having problems with infection if they have one because of spending so much time sitting down.

My friend wasn't too chuffed at the comparison Grin

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:15

yes, am just confused as most of what I'm reading talks about them developing because of ingrown hair. None of them talk about affecting the smooth, hair free bum of a newborn girl!

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Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:16

"A pilonidal sinus is an infected tract under the skin between the buttocks"

that's what I mean - hers is definiely not infected.
Think I may just need to ask to set my mind at rest. Spina bifida.......

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bigstripeytiger · 19/10/2010 23:17

A pilonidal sinus is different from a sacral dimple.
A sacral dimple is always there, but a pilonidal sinus is something that develops (obviously other differences too).

this link might be helpful

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:18

so it's spina bifida occulta
no wonder she didn;t give me the name

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LoopyLoupGarou · 19/10/2010 23:19

Try not to worry SPB, they would have checked it and told you. Go to your GP just to ease your mind though. [hsmile]

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/10/2010 23:20

how did she get to be a year old before I thought to question this!
Thanks everyone

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winnybella · 19/10/2010 23:21

It says that if they are low, they are almost always insignificant. I wouldn't worry.

LoopyLoupGarou · 19/10/2010 23:22

It must be emphasised that, for the vast majority of those affected, having spina bifida occulta is of no consequence whatsoever. Often people only become aware that they have spina bifida occulta after having a back x-ray for an unrelated problem.

www.asbah.org/Spina+Bifida/informationsheets/spinabifidaocculta

LoopyLoupGarou · 19/10/2010 23:22

sorry linky link

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 20/10/2010 08:44

Thanks, after a good nights sleep I can be a bit more rational :) I am going to ask the HV next week and if I don't get a straight answer then I'll push for investigation for my own peace of mind.
I think it was just the words spina bifida! Sent me into a panic. And I keep thinking, but I took folic acid the whole time, including before :(

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BoffinMum · 20/10/2010 08:51

My DH has spina bifida occulta, and he didn't realise until he was in his 30s and went for a chest x-ray when he had pneumonia. The conversation apparently went like this.

"So how long have you been having back ache then?"

"I haven't"

"But you have spina bifida"

"Well if I do it's not bothering me"

It's really not a problem in its minor form, I gather.

Original poster
SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 20/10/2010 08:56

But what I'm worrying about is if the people who don't realise they have it have the mild form, then surely DD, where it's absolutely obvious, has a more serious form?

How would I know anyway? She is 1 and is walking and climbing, I can't believe there's anything wrong with her spine but how would I know?

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