Parents are usually alarmed when faced with an unknown medical condition, especially one with such a strange name. This is what happens when there is a diagnosis of hemangiomas in newborns1.

What is a Hemangioma?

A hemangioma is a spot that appears on the baby’s skin a few weeks after birth and is red in color. Hemangiomas in newborns are usually flat and considered congenital. Up to the first year of life, hemangiomas in newborns tend to increase in size. As the child gets older, they may shrink and even disappear. For the reassurance of parents, it is a condition with no major risks to the child’s health2.

Characteristics and Appearance of Hemangiomas

It’s common for parents to bring up questions with the specialist about the spot their child has on a certain part of the body. But after all, what is a hemangioma? The answer is: it is a benign tumor and is part of the vascular anomalies group. These are red spots with a flat appearance; over time, their characteristics can change, increasing in size and thickening.

Hemangioma Evolution

Just as they appear, they also disappear over time. On average, they show up a few weeks after the child is born and continue growing until about one year of age. During this phase, they become inactive; in the last stage, they begin to shrink on their own. By the time the child turns five, there is a good chance that the hemangioma will have disappeared. In newborns, hemangiomas appear on the skin as reddish or purplish spots, resembling a compact, solid tumor with a slight elevation on the skin. In addition to the skin, they can also be found in internal organs, most commonly in the liver, kidneys, and spine. In these cases, it is recommended to perform an MRI to monitor the condition and confirm the diagnosis.

Does This Type of Tumor Cause Symptoms?

This kind of skin anomaly does not present symptoms and the diagnosis is made in the pediatrician’s office. Usually, they can be found on various areas of the body but are most prominent on the neck or head.

Causes

The exact causes of hemangioma development are still being studied and investigated by science. Even though genetic factors are involved, the origin lies in malfunctioning cells, resulting in an imbalance in the formation of the vascular system during the first weeks of pregnancy. What happens is that the embryonic cell divides earlier than it should, and thus capillary blood vessels spread out on the skin’s surface, giving rise to the lesion. Usually, the spot does not appear immediately after birth but develops in the first month of life; the condition often worsens until the first year and then improves on its own during childhood. There are still no precise reports in Brazil of the number of hemangioma cases in newborns, but studies indicate that these cases occur in about three to ten children per hundred. Studies also show that this type of tumor is more frequent in girls and premature babies. Studies further indicate that girls are more predisposed to this anomaly than boys. This is due to a higher amount of hormones in their bodies, which increases the likelihood of cell division errors. For premature babies, vascular formation is interrupted by early birth, and in this way, the natural process is halted, providing an opportunity for tumors to emerge in a flat form.

Risks to the Child’s Health?

There are no health risks to the child as it is a benign tumor, and there is no possibility of it turning into cancer in the future. However, in some cases, hemangiomas in newborns require special care depending on their location. Some hemangiomas, depending on where they are, may bleed and prevent certain activities. Another problem arises when the lesion is located in the eye region, affecting vision, or in the nose region, making it difficult for the child to breathe.

Treatment for Hemangioma

The best recommended treatment for hemangioma is to begin as early as possible, from the first month of life, so that in the future, the child does not suffer potential complications. Usually, in the case of early lesions, treatment is done with medications applied directly on the lesion3. In more advanced cases with significant growth, treatment with corticosteroids or propranolol is recommended. These medications are generally used to reduce large lesions and control others to keep them inactive and inhibit their growth. If a more invasive approach is needed, laser treatment or surgery is indicated.

More Complex Cases

In the most severe cases of hemangiomas in newborns, surgery is indicated for treatment, especially when complications arise, such as when the lesion restricts the airway, impairs vision, or affects hearing. Another problematic region is the diaper area, where frequent friction leads to lesions bleeding often. The important thing is not to medicate the child on your own. Seek advice from a pediatrician so they can refer a specialist to monitor the child. Only a specialized doctor can assess and correctly diagnose the lesion and recommend the best medication for each case. Generally, hemangiomas are curable and treatment is recommended when there is excessive tumor growth. The appearance may be alarming and seem serious, but remember it is a congenital anomaly with no health risks to your child. Better yet, there is no possibility of this lesion developing into skin cancer. See Also: Most Common Skin Diseases in Women Photo: wendymathews