Acrocyanosis in a Female Newborn

This photo was taken minutes after the birth of a female newborn and reveals a purple discoloration of the right buttock. This baby was delivered breach with the right buttock resting at the introitus for several minutes before descending. Compression of the right buttock by the vaginal ring produced cyanosis similar to that seen over the face and head when descent is temporarily interrupted in a vertex presentation delivery.

The cyanosis pictured here resolved completely within several days of delivery. Robert P. Blereau, MD of Morgan City, La, notes that no treatment is required.