Sacral dimple

[kidsareok]

Hi! I gave birth to my baby boy just over 6 weeks ago. His birth health checks were all normal. We had his 6 week check this week and the Dr noticed a sacral dimple. It's just in his bum crack, not very deep and you can see the top of it covered in skin. Has anyone had experience of this before? I've googled and found it can be linked to spina bifida or a tethered cord so I'm worrying a bit - especially after all scans and post birth examinations being normal. Thanks!

I should also say - we have been referred for an ultrasound scan which is the reason I'm worrying! Thanks x

My older daughter (now 3.5) has this. I worried too after googling but her development has been totally normal.

Don't worry!

We didn't get referred but then I didn't mention it to anyone - so maybe we would have been if I had. I'm sure it's absolutely fine

Both my children have that (3.5 and 18 months)- I just thought it was a cute dimple and never thought anything of it! They have developed completely normally. My DH pointed out that I also have one apparently! Good to get it checked if you’re worried but I’m sure it will be fine. Congratulations on the new baby!

My daughter who is now 10 was born with it and it was picked up whilst she was checked over in hospital. Has never given us any bother. And they have never looked in to it either. Try not to worry too much.

The majority of spina bifidas are totally benign! Spina bifida occulta causes no symptoms and is present in around 1 in 8 people. It's not the same as the disabling ones. Tethered cord is a rare disability.

You don't need to worry.

My eldest had a sacral dimple. The pediatrician didn't spot it in the discharge check. I mentioned it to the midwife when we got home. Emergency appointment with gp, they checked and although it was fairly deep it did have skin covering at the depth. He's 6 tomorrow and it's hardly even noticeable just a slight bump to the side of his bum cheek.

All of my three of my kids have them. They’re 16, 14 & 14 now (twins, obvs.) Aside from having an unhealthy obsession with devices, they’re all good!)

I have one, Dd has one.

I pointed it out to the midwives and drs at the hospital. Nobody seemed bothered. She never had a scan. She has the red patch as well. A dr friend pointed out it was spina bifida occulta but she’s never had any issues.

Mine is quite deep. But apart from making sure I wash it out (sorry) as it collects sweat, fluff and hair it doesn’t cause any problems. I think ensuring it’s clean is vital. As a teenager it got inflamed/infected once with a nasty boil type thing in it and the pain was awful.

My dd has the same. I worried over it for years as she has chronic bowel problems and has never been able to properly do poos without low level medication. (There is a link between spina bifida and continence) But a CT scan she had about a year ago revealed nothing. If you are very concerned, ask your Gp/midwife if they think a scan is recommended. I was told at an early age a non intrusive sonogram (?) can detect any problems. Once they are older this kind of scan doesn’t work and they have to do a CT or MRI scan and they won’t usually do these on younger children without a general anaesthetic, so then you’d have to wait until your child is old enough to lay still for 40 minutes.

My 10yo has one and it has never caused any problems. Normal, healthy boy. Does a sport on a national squad.

Me, my brother and sister all have one and are 33, 31 and 28. We are all really healthy and have never had any issues. Apparently my dad has it too. My brother used to take bets at parties on how many items he could hold in his .

Ahh thanks everyone! This is so reassuring!! My little boy is on the 75th centile for growth, never stops kicking his legs and trying to lift his head etc. He is fine with everything else so I think the GP was just being extra cautious. Its good to know it's not that uncommon!! Thanks everyone!

Oh yes I should have mentioned make sure you clean it properly in the bath and use sudocrem at nappy changes etc. My daughter got quite sore once after a run of bad nappies