During the neonatal period and the early months of life many physiological and benign cutaneous variations may be observed. Commonly these abnormalities are classified as transient neonatal dermatosis (TND) or transient benign dermatosis of infancy (TBDI).

Periungueal hyperpigmentation of the dorsal aspects of the digits is usually a feature  of dark-skinned/black newborns, but recently this clinical finding has been observed in children of Caucasian origin.

This pigmentation, benign, and  asymptomatic, is symmetrically distributed on both hands. The skin is normal and the intensity of hyperpigmentation may grade as mild to intense (light brown to ochre).

It is usually observed between the ages of 2 and 6 months.

Probably, cases with light pigmentation, may go unnoticed.

Reports indicate that the hyperpigmentation usually fade away in 2 years of age.

The reason of this hyperpigmentation in some fair-skinned newborns is not known.

The same type of pigmentation was often observed in the toes.