Newborn has closed dimple at base of the spine. What do I need to ask during the newborn check?

[helpamamaout]

Eg for imaging?

My daughter has a closed sacral dimple at the base of her spine. I have one too. Nobody even mentioned it to me until she was having a physio check for clicky hips (we were referred after the newborn check). If it’s closed and not hairy I don’t think you need to worry about it.

Sorry that probably not that helpful, but I don’t think you need to worry

DD has one too and I panicked but it turned out to be nothing. Mn reassured me it's just what the pp mentioned. She's 9 now and perfect :)

There are certain features which make a sacral dimple more concerning and mean it should be checked out (eg if it is large, or hairy, too deep to see the bottom, high above the anus, has a birthmark etc). Without those features it’s probably fine.

I seem to recall that ultrasound can be used to detect spinal issues when they are newborns. When they are older it needs MRI as ultrasound can’t get a good enough look by then. Ultrasound is a lot cheaper and easier to get than an MRI, therefore if you have any concerns, it’s worth getting it checked out now rather than wait and see.

My daughter has one the same, it's fine.

We have secretly nicknamed her wonky bum though because it makes her bum crease into a zig zag shape. It's cute.

I have this and so does DD (21 months). No idea what is is, although nothing to worry about and I love that we both have it!

This is interesting, I have a 5 day old new born with a sacral dimple but the MW said it was nothing to worry about because you could see the bottom, but now I am concerned because it's hairy. She does have lots of fuzz on her back though in general which I am told will fall out. Maybe worth bringing up at her next health check to see if we can get it investigated?

Thank you!

Willow waa your dc early nakubg her have fuzz/ hair etx?

My DS has one, it has never come up since. Actually once - when he went for an op aged 4 but it was all fine.

Not really no, she was born at 39+2.

My daughter has one (apparently as does my dB). The mw referred her to the gp, who investigated it to make sure it didn’t join up with the bowel. Basically stuck something like a cotton bud in it. She’s 14 and all ok

My 20 week old has one. It was noted in hospital with a ‘but I’m pretty sure I can see the bottom’ comment from the Dr but no explanation. I had no idea it was anything to worry about until I idly googled it one day and terrified myself he has spina bifida - especially as his also had long dark hair in it. It was looked at in his 6 week check and the gp said he seemed fine as his movement was good and strong. I forgot all about it until the other day I realised that it’s no longer hairy and seems to have sort of closed up a bit more.

Ok, thank you

My youngest has one. We were told on day 2 and sent back to pre natal ward for Dr to check as couldn't see bottom and it had a hair. Went for a scan at day 4. Was a worrying time but all was fine, she 20 months old now and full of it.

My son has this. It was picked up in hospital the day after he was born and they then reddened us to have an ultrasound on his spine which thankfully turned out all okay. It can be concerning (particularly as a new mum there are so many things to worry about and I didn’t even know this was something I might need to worry about!) but I’d they are at all anxious about your baby’s sacral dimple, they will refer for furthee tests. Hope all is okay with your beautiful new baby!

*referred, not ‘reddened’ lol

Both my DC have one (as does my mum apparently!) and there’s nothing wrong with any of them thankfully.

Hopefully it's nothing op but I'd ask fir a referral to a suitably qualified specialist to put your mind at rest and ensure you and your bsby receive expert advice.

Thank you!