MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Skin characteristics

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Skin characteristics

It is common for a newborn to have fine, soft, light-colored hair called lanugo covering the forehead, cheeks, shoulders and back. Some newborns also have enlarged sebaceous glands appearing as small white dots on the face called milia. Both of these characteristics are normal and will disappear after a few weeks.

Update Date: 11/18/2005

Updated by: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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