Buttock bruises=mongolian spot

To the Editor.— Pediatricians have come to recognize the classic skin lesions of inflicted trauma such as strap or cord marks, hand prints, cigarette burns, and other unusual appearing burns. Occasionally, a child may be suspected of having been abused when, in fact, the dermatologic findings are the result of an acute disease process or a "folk medicine" treatment. Examples include the cutaneous lesions seen in hypersensitivity vasculitis1 and the ecchymotic markings resulting from Cao gio (coin rubbing)2 and cupping.3 Adler and Kane-Nussen4 recently described three children who had erythema multiforme and who were mistakenly considered to have been abused.