International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

A nevus simplex located on the face is commonly known as what?

1. Stork bite

2. Salmon patch

3. Angry birthmark

4. Port wine stain

The correct answer is: Salmon patch

A nevus simplex located on the face is commonly known as a salmon patch. This type of birthmark is characterized by its flat, pink, or red appearance and is often found on the nape of the neck, eyelids, or between the eyes on the forehead. It is usually more prominent when the infant is crying and tends to fade significantly over time, often becoming less noticeable or completely disappearing. The term "salmon patch" specifically refers to the light pink coloration associated with these marks, which resembles the color of salmon. While "stork bite" is related to similar types of birthmarks (mainly occurring on the nape of the neck), the phrase "angry birthmark" does not have a standardized medical definition and typically refers to vascular birthmarks but is not commonly used in clinical terminology. On the other hand, a "port wine stain" is a more severe type of vascular malformation that appears as a deeper red or purplish mark and usually does not fade over time, which distinguishes it from a salmon patch. Thus, salmon patch is the term most accurately fitting the description of a nevus simplex on the face.