The difference between Pilonidal Dimples and Sacral Dimples

Many parents of newborns come to this site upon discovery that their baby has a small hole in the natal cleft and they’ve been told it is a “Pilonidal Dimple”. This is page gives a very brief description of what we know and what the next steps for an anxious parent might be.

Around 3% of all babies are born with what is called a Sacral Dimple, which is sometimes also referred to as a Pilonidal Dimple, although this term is incorrect and possibly why you ended up here. Sacral Dimples are NOT Pilonidal Disease as is discussed on this site.

Sacral Dimples are suggested to be mostly harmless, although some can indicate a connection to the spinal canal or colon. Some Sacral Dimples are also associated with Spina Bifida Occulta and your doctor will likely suggest an MRI should be done to rule out any connection.

Unlike “pits” and sinus openings noted elsewhere on this web site, Sacral Dimples are not a source of Pilonidal abscesses as they are discussed here. If you keep the Sacral Dimple clean, then the rare pit formed in the depth of a dimple is unlikely to appear. Pilonidal Disease occurs only rarely before puberty and even rarer in Sacral Dimples. It is possible for an infection to form in a Sacral Dimple if fecal matter or debris becomes deeply lodged.

This page last updated: January 17, 2016