Slide show: Birthmarks

Usually present at birth, a congenital nevus is a painless, large, dark-colored mole that typically appears on the scalp or trunk of the body. It can range in size from a couple of millimeters to several centimeters in diameter, covering large areas.

Children with a congenital nevus — especially those with a large-sized nevus — are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer as adults. If your child has this type of birthmark, consult your doctor so that he or she can check for skin changes. Treatment may be considered depending on the size, location and risk of skin cancer.