Understanding Skin Tone in Mixed-Race Babies: What to Expect

Question
Is it true that mixed race (African-American and Caucasian) babies are born white and gradually turn darker?

Answer
Babies of mixed races may have the chararacteristics of both races or of one race (depending on the genetic composition). I have seen some babies that are born with dark complexions and some that are born with light complexions. Often, we notice facial characteristics of one or the other race. The baby can developed more pronounced characteristics (including skin color) as it grows, but it is not true that the baby is born white and turns black.