What is a "Mongolian Blue Spot" and what does it mean?

Question:I was born with a Mongolian blue spot on my back, which faded when I was about 12 months old, neither of my parents or grandparents had one, and my mum thinks it is a throwback from Eastern European descent. Can anyone tell me more about it? My daughter was born without a blue spot, and I'm told it usually skips many generations. My heritage is mostly English / Irish / Scottish to my knowledge.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I was born with a Mongolian blue spot on my back, which faded when I was about 12 months old, neither of my parents or grandparents had one, and my mum thinks it is a throwback from Eastern European descent. Can anyone tell me more about it? My daughter was born without a blue spot, and I'm told it usually skips many generations. My heritage is mostly English / Irish / Scottish to my knowledge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_s...

A Mongolian Spot, Mongolian Fleck or Mongolian Blue Spot is a benign flat congenital birthmark with wavy borders and irregular shape, most common among Asians and Turks, and named after Mongolians. It is also extremely prevalent among East Africans and Native Americans. It normally disappears three to five years after birth and almost always by puberty

The Mongolian spot is a congenital developmental condition exclusively involving the skin. The blue colour is caused by melanocytes, melanin-containing cells, that are deep under the skin. Usually, as multiple spots or one large patch, it covers one or more of the lumbosacral area (lower back), the buttocks, flanks, and shoulders. It results from the entrapment of melanocytes in the dermis during their migration from the neural crest to the epidermis during embryonic development.
The condition is not linked to sex; and male and female infants are equally predisposed to Mongolian spot. The spots are harmless.
Among those who are not aware of the background of the Mongolian spots, it may sometimes be mistaken for a bruise

Prevalence:
Mongolian spot is most prevalent among Mongols and other Asian groups, such as the Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc. Nearly all East Asian infants are born with one or more Mongolian spots. The incidence of Mongolian spot among East Asian infants is 95-100%. It is also common if only one of the parents is East Asian.
Among East African infants it is found at rates between 90-95%, and 85-90% of Native American infants.
The incidence among Caucasians, that is, the indigenous peoples of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) is between 1-10%.
Additionally, there is an incidence of 50-70% among Hispanics, presumably as a result of the Native American admixture found in mestizos (people of mixed European and Native American ancestry) who comprise the largest racial group among Hispanics

www.drgreene.com/21_1143.html :
What are the symptoms?
These flat birthmarks can be deep brown, slate gray, or blue-black in color. They do sometimes look like bruises. The edges are often, but not always, indistinct. They are most common on the lower back and buttocks, but are often found on the legs, back, sides, and shoulders. They vary from the size of a pinhead to six inches or more across. A child may have one or several. Occasionally, Mongolian blue spots are mistaken for bruises and questions about child abuse arise. It is important to recognize that Mongolian blue spots are birthmarks, NOT bruises.

Is it contagious?
No

How long does it last?
Mongolian spots are present at birth, and most of them fade (at least somewhat) by age two. Most have completely disappeared by age five. If Mongolian spots remain at puberty, they are likely to be permanent. Fewer than five percent of children with Mongolian spots still have any by the time they reach adulthood. Those who do tend to be the ones with multiple, widespread spots, or with spots in unusual locations.

How is it diagnosed?
Mongolian spots are usually diagnosed by their appearance.

How is it treated?
No treatment is necessary.

How can it be prevented?
No prevention is necessary

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I believe that it means some mixed Oriental and Caucasian heritage. These spots look like bruises, and many are permanent.