Hemangiomas of Infancy

Also known as: strawberry birthmarks, red birthmark

What are hemangiomas of infancy?

Hemangiomas of infancy are the most common vascular tumors in infants. These benign lesions usually have an initial phase of rapid growth from the first 6 to 8 months of life and after this they start to involute by themselves.

One third of the hemangiomas in infants will resolve by 3 years of age, one third by 6 years of age, and the last third by 9 years of age. By the end of their involution, these tumors can leave a faint mark or scar in the area were they were localized or a residual amount of superficial blood vessels. Depending on the body area they can have a medical significance for treatment or no treatment.

Most hemangiomas in infants grow in areas that do not interfere with other organs or cause disfigurement and just require observation by a doctor; but a small amount of them can grow in areas that interfere with:

  • Vision (eyelids)
  • Breathing or eating (throat)
  • Ulcerate in mucosal areas (lips, diaper area, neck)
  • Cause disfigurement by interfering with regular formation of cartilage (nose and ears)
  • Compromise the heart work due to its large size or multiple lesions

What are the common hemangiomas of infancy?

Read more detailed information about different kinds of hemangiomas found in children.

Image of Hemangiomas of Infancy

Hemangioma infant

What are the treatment options for hemangiomas of infancy?

The majority of them don’t require medical treatment; but if required, they will include:

  • Oral medications such as propanolol or prednisone
  • Pulsed dye laser
  • Nd:YAG laser
  • Co2 laser or surgical excision depending on the clinical evaluation

This page was last updated on: August 27, 2021 01:19 PM

The International Birthmark Institute

Evaluation and management of all birthmarks with special expertise in vascular birthmarks or vascular anomalies in newborn babies and children.

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