Harlequin color change

Harlequin color change is a cutaneous condition seen in newborn babies characterized by momentary red color changes of half the child, sharply demarcated at the body's midline. This transient change occurs in approximately 10% of healthy newborns. It is seen usually between two to five days of birth. The condition lasts from 30 seconds to 20 minutes and then fades. It may recur when the infant is placed on his or her side, as the intensity of color has been shown to be gravity dependent and considerably variable from one infant to another.