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Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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Newborns Eyes Look Gray
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Needlman,
My newborns eyes look gray. My husband and I have brown eyes. Will his eye color change?

— Julie

ANSWER
December 21, 2001
Dear Julie,
Eye color, like skin and hair color, is caused by the presence of the chemical melanin. Infants are often born with relatively little melanin, but the body makes more over time. That is why many light-blond babies grow up into adults with brown hair, and many light tan African American babies grow into adults with much darker skin. Eye color is no different. Gray eyes have less melanin than brown. Eye color often changes as children mature. There's a good chance your son's eyes will become more brown over time.

— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.

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