What Is a Sacral Dimple?
A sacral dimple is an indentation, present at birth, in the skin on the lower back. It's usually located just above the crease between the buttocks. Most sacral dimples are harmless and don't require any treatment. Sacral dimples that are accompanied by a nearby tuft of hair, skin tag or certain types of skin discoloration are sometimes associated with a serious underlying abnormality of the spine or spinal cord. In these instances, your child's doctor may recommend an imaging test. If an abnormality is discovered, treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Symptoms
A sacral dimple will appear as a small dimple or pit in the lower back. It is usually very shallow, and the bottom can be seen easily. A sacral dimple may be located in the crease between the buttocks. However, some attributes can signal further defects, and they will need to be examined with an ultrasound. These include:
- swelling in the area
- skin tags
- a birthmark in the area
- a patch of hair by the dimple
- tenderness
Causes
It is not exactly known what causes a sacral dimple. It’s a congenital condition, which means a person is born with it. It forms for unknown reasons during fetal development. There are no risk factors for developing a sacral dimple.
Complications
Sacral dimples that are minor usually have no complications, and there are no known risk factors. These dimples do not require any treatment. However, deeper pits that continue inside the body can link directly to the spinal cord or the colon. This can also cause a chronic rash. In these cases, the dimple needs to be closed. Deeper pits can often become infected, and an abscess or cyst may develop. Often this type of growth does not happen until the person is in their teens. There is no known link between the presence of a sacral dimple and spinal dysraphism and incomplete fusion of the spine or spinal cord.
Diagnosis
A sacral dimple is visually evident to doctors during a newborn’s physical exam. If a sacral dimple has no unusual characteristics, it’s called a simple sacral dimple. There’s a high probability that it will have no effect on a person’s health. Because of this, doctors generally don’t recommend any action.
Treatment
There is no treatment for a sacral dimple. Sometimes the “dimple,” or pit in the skin, can collect dirt, fecal matter, and sweat. That increases the risk for infection or irritation. Keeping the area clean will reduce that risk. If you have a baby with a sacral dimple, using a diaper rash cream over the dimple can help keep stool out of the pitted area. If a person with a sacral dimple has any symptoms of spinal cord problems, like muscle weakness or numbness in the legs, or loss of control of the bladder or bowels, it’s important to see a neurologist for evaluation.
Most sacral dimples are completely harmless and do not require any treatment. However, in newborn babies, a doctor will examine the infant for any signs that may indicate a birth irregularity. Those concerned about developing a sacral dimple later in life can help limit the risk by keeping the area clean and dry and maintaining a healthy weight. If an infection does occur, it will be treated with antibiotics. If there is an abscess, a minor operation may be needed to drain the pus.
