When is a hemangioma in children to be removed?

A bright birthmark in newborns is a benign vascular formation and is characterized as a hemangioma in children. It appears due to an embryonic disorder in the development of blood vessels, occurs in almost every tenth child of the first year of life, and more often affects girls. The unpleasantness of hemangioma in children is that this formation grows rapidly, including in depth, can ulcerate, bleed and become infected, and, depending on the place of occurrence, it also constitutes a significant cosmetic defect, and therefore must be removed.

The causes of hemangioma in children and the trouble it brings

It is assumed that the cause of the appearance of hemangioma in children may be the intake of certain medications by the expectant mother or a viral infection (for example, influenza) transmitted by a pregnant woman. Unfavorable ecology can also affect the development of such a birthmark in an unborn child. Because of all these factors, the development of blood vessels is disrupted, which is why children are born with hemangioma – most often on the scalp, on the face, on the genitals.

Hemangioma in children is capillary and cavernous, combined from these two types and grow deep into the skin, represent a combination of elements of both vascular and other tissues. Hemangiomas can be located singly or appear multiple, be very small and occupy vast areas of the skin, grow quickly or not show growth at all, and sometimes even regress on their own.

Unpleasant hemangioma in children  in the fact that with intensive growth, this birthmark is able to go deep into the skin and destroy surrounding tissues, and with extensive damage to the skin, disrupt the functioning of internal organs. In addition, sometimes a hemangioma in children, especially if located in a place where it often gets wet or clings to clothes, can ulcerate and become infected. In addition, in babies, such raised spots can be injured and cause severe bleeding.

Symptoms of hemangioma in children and diagnosis of the disease

Hemangioma in children, as a rule, appears in the first weeks or months of life and shows rapid growth, and then slows down its spread and may even regress. This is a flat or slightly raised bumpy spot from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size, although sometimes it can occupy a fairly large area of ​​​​the skin.  The color of the birthmark is from pink to purple and cyanotic, it is slightly warmer to the touch than the surrounding tissues. To assess the depth of hemangioma germination into the skin, an ultrasound examination of the birthmark is performed.

Treatment of hemangioma in children and prognosis of its development

If the hemangioma in children is small, not injured and does not cause concern, does not grow, then expectant tactics are used. As a rule, such a birthmark regresses on its own over time.

Hemangiomas in children in the anogenital region, in the mouth, on the head or neck, showing rapid growth, signs of infection or bleeding, should be removed. Superficial formations lend themselves well to cryodestruction, laser removal. Combined and cavernous hemangiomas are subject to sclerotherapy. Hemangioma in children, located deep in the tissues, is surgically excised, and if the birthmark occupies a large area or is located near the eye, ear – it is removed with X-ray therapy.

Hemangiomas in children are prone to both aggressive growth and complete self-regression – it all depends on the size of the formation and the location. Therefore, the tactics of observation or the choice of methods for removing a birthmark is determined by the doctor.