Print DiagnosisA sacral dimple is diagnosed with a physical exam, usually during a baby's first exam. If the sacral dimple is large or appears with a nearby tuft of hair, skin tag or lump, or certain types of skin discoloration, your health care provider may suggest imaging tests to check for spinal cord problems. These tests may include: Ultrasound. This noninvasive procedure uses sound waves to produce images of structures of the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If more detail is needed, your health care provider may recommend an MRI, which uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create cross-sectional images of the body. This method requires medicine to prevent the child from moving during the scan. This is called sedation. More InformationMRIUltrasound TreatmentTreatment is unnecessary for a simple sacral dimple. Preparing for your appointmentIn general, your child will not need to see a health care provider for a sacral dimple. If you have questions about the sacral dimple, you can also bring these up at your child's routine office visits. Some questions you might want to ask your child's health care provider include: Does my child need any tests to be sure there's no other cause? Does the area need any special cleaning or care? Is any treatment necessary? Is a sacral dimple ever associated with more-serious conditions? By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Symptoms & causes Dec. 04, 2024 Print Show references Paller AS, et al. Cutaneous disorders of the newborn. In: Paller and Mancini — Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology: A Textbook of Skin Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 30, 2022. Cohen BA. Neonatal dimpling. In: Pediatric Dermatology. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 30, 2022. Sacral dimple — normal. Pediatric Patient Education. https://publications.aap.org/patiented. Accessed Aug. 31, 2022. Holcomb GW, et al., eds. Neurosurgical conditions. In: Holcomb and Ashcraft's Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 31, 2022. AskMayoExpert. Spina bifida. Mayo Clinic; 2021. Andreas A, et al., eds. Current status of paediatric imaging. In: Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 31, 2022. Related Sacral dimple Associated Procedures MRI Ultrasound Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Sacral dimpleSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatment Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Listen to Health Matters Podcast - Mayo Clinic PressNEW: Listen to Health Matters PodcastMayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20377340 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Sacral dimple