Multiple congenital symmetric skin dimples.

Skin dimples are seldom observed in sites other than the face. We report on a male premature child who was seen at the age of 2 months for the evaluation of cutaneous depressions symmetrically located on the shoulders, elbows and in the sacral region. Skin dimples have sometimes been considered a benign autosomal dominant trait. However, several authors have reported these cutaneous defects in a variety of conditions like congenital syndromes, infections, inborn errors of metabolism and mechanical trauma. In our case, the aetiology is unknown, even though maternal drug or infective exposure can reasonably be excluded as well as traumatic events. At a 3-year follow-up, the patient shows a normal psychophysical development. This appears to be the first case of a child presenting congenital, symmetric dimples in three different areas.