Infantile Hemangiomas

Hemangiomas, present in one of every 20 children and also known as strawberry nevus, are the most common benign soft tissue tumors of childhood. It is generally not prominent right after the birth, it becomes visible in the first few weeks of life. 


 

They are often localized in head-neck region

They are more frequent in baby girls, premature babies and babies born with a low weight and multiple pregnancies. It consists of 3 types, which are superficial, deep and combined. Superficial hemangiomas are swollen, radiant, bright red colored bulges on the skin. Deep hemangiomas are bluish bulges beneath the skin. Hemangiomas that take up a broad area of the body may be accompanied by various symptoms. Hemangiomas can be observed in any part of the body, however; they are often localized in head-neck area. Typically a child has only one hemangioma, though there can be multiple. In this case, there can be hemangiomas in internal organs as well, especially in liver. 
 

It grows very rapid in the first three months

Hemangiomas that become prominent after 2nd-3rd week of life, show rapid and significant growth in first 3 months. Following the growth phase that continues until 9-12 months, regression phase begins. In this period, it becomes gray-white, its consistency softens and its bulge decreases. In the ages of 4-10, they leave the appearance of a slight hollowness or capillary vessel when they disappear. 
 

Treatment is planned according to location and size

Medical significance of hemangiomas depend on their location, size and accompanying symptoms. For example; they may cause visual impairment if located in eyelids; constipation or ulceration if located around anus; dyspnea by causing pressure on airways if located deep in the neck. They may cause permanent deformities if located in the nose tip or ear. They may be accompanied by some syndromes in face located or large diameter hemangiomas or in segmental types that hold a specific part of the body. Sudden wounds and ulcers or bleeding may be seen on rapid growing hemangiomas. These wounds are painful and carry the risk of infection development on them. In case bleeding occurs, pressurizing the area with a gauze bandage for five minutes generally stops the bleeding.
 

It can be treated with laser too

When the baby with hemangioma becomes 1 month old, whether it requires treatment or not should be detected. Hemangiomas with the risk of permanent deformation (lip, nose tip, ear, around the eyes), prevention of vital functions (sight, nourishment, breathing), ulceration and hemangiomas that take up a large area of the body or presence of more than 5 hemangiomas requires treatment. Very successful outcomes can be obtained in the treatment of risky hemangiomas with medication started in the early period. In necessary cases, simultaneous treatment is performed with other medical treatments and lasers.