Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita?
A pediatric dermatologist, a skin doctor for children, usually cares for cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita. An ophthalmologist, an eye doctor, treats eye problems such as glaucoma. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita?
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, or CMTC, is a rare condition that is present at birth. It causes discolored patches of skin. Widened blood vessels near the skin surface cause the patches.
The skin looks purple or blue and marbled, like a fishnet. Many cases are mild and clear up without treatment.
Symptoms
Signs of CMTC can include:
- Net-like or marbled patches of skin.
- Patches most often on the legs.
- Patches on the arms, and sometimes on the trunk. Patches on the face are very rare.
- Thin skin or open sores called ulcers in some children.
- One limb that is weak or more sensitive to cold.
- One side of the body that is underdeveloped (hemihypoplasia) in some children.
- Eye problems, such as glaucoma (high pressure inside the eye), in a small number of children.
In more than half of people, the patches fade. This most often happens in the first year of life, but the patches may not go away completely.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause of CMTC is not known. Most cases happen randomly, for no known reason.
A change in a gene called GNA11, present in only some of the body's cells, has been found in a few people with CMTC. Most people tested do not have this change.
CMTC is usually not inherited, so the risk to family members is thought to be very low. In a few rare cases, it has appeared to run in families.
It affects males and females in equal numbers.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors can confirm CMTC with a careful exam, a detailed history, and the typical skin findings.
The typical sign is a net-like red-to-purple pattern in the skin that is present at birth. The pattern does not mostly or completely fade with warming.
The main look-alike is cutis marmorata, a normal marbled look in some newborns. That look gets stronger with cold and fades with warming.
Some other conditions can look like CMTC, such as Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.
No special tests are needed if the diagnosis is typical, isolated CMTC. A gene test can look for a GNA11 change. A normal result does not rule out CMTC.
Treatment
Most skin changes improve or go away with time and need no treatment. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive, which means it eases problems as they come up. Options include:
- Laser treatment for patches that last. Results are mixed, depending on how severe and deep the patches are.
- Care for ulcers, which is usually given by a team with advanced knowledge in pain control.
- Shoe lifts or orthotics (shoe inserts) for mild differences in leg length.
- Surgery to even out leg length in severe cases.
- Physical therapy for weakness.
- Standard treatment from an eye doctor for glaucoma and other eye problems.
Doctors suggest avoiding cold exposure, and blood draws or IVs in an affected limb.
Doctors also watch the skin closely for early signs of ulcers. They check limb length and girth each year until growth is finished.
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When to see a doctor
Babies with a diagnosis of CMTC should be referred to a specialist center.
Have your child's eyes checked any time there is eye pain or visible clouding of the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can arrange referrals to a skin doctor, an eye doctor, and other specialists, and can keep track of checkups over time.
Common questions
Does cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita go away?
Often the skin patches fade, but they may not go away completely. In more than half of people, the patches fade.
Is cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita inherited?
Usually not. In a few rare cases, it has appeared to run in families.
Does cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita always need treatment?
No, because most skin changes improve or go away with time. Some children need care for skin ulcers.
Is cutis marmorata the same as cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita?
No. Cutis marmorata is a normal marbled look in some newborns. It fades when the skin is warmed.
Sources
- NCBI Bookshelf (GeneReviews) - Isolated and Classic Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita
- NORD - Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
