What causes cutis marmorata in a neonate?

Cutis marmorata is a condition observed in neonates characterized by a mottled or marbled appearance of the skin. This phenomenon is fundamentally a vasomotor response, which occurs when the blood vessels in the skin constrict or dilate in response to changes in temperature, particularly when the infant is chilled. The baby’s skin reflects this response through the appearance of a bluish or purplish marbling effect.

This response is particularly common in newborns since they are still adapting to external temperatures after birth. Because the maturity of their circulatory system is not fully developed, they may react more noticeably to variations in environmental temperature. This is unlike other listed causes, such as allergic reactions, excessive heat exposure, or trauma during delivery, which do not typically result in the distinctive appearance of cutis marmorata. Thus, the correct cause of cutis marmorata in a neonate is indeed linked to their vasomotor response to chilling.