Hemangioma in babies is a reddish spot that appears on the skin shortly after birth. This reddish spot becomes thicker over time.
According to some experts, blood spots are soft tissue tumors that often appear in newborns or children under 1 year of age.
The appearance of these blood spots is accompanied by thickening on the surface, making parents anxious. Is hemangioma dangerous and how to treat it? Check out the complete information, Mom!
What is Hemangioma in Babies?
Hemangioma is a soft tissue tumor that often occurs in newborns and in children under 1 year of age (5-10%). Usually this condition is already visible since the baby is born (30%) or appears after a few weeks after birth (70%). The thickening generally appears on the surface of the body, such as: head, neck, face, legs or chest.
Even though it is called a tumor, its appearance is not like a tumor lump in general, but rather a reddish spot like a birthmark that has thickened.
The difference with birthmarks is whether or not there is thickening of the red spot, because birthmarks do not come from blood vessels but are a collection of pigments.
The growth of this tumor occurs more rapidly between the ages of 6 to 12 months. And shrinks or shrinks at the age of 1 to 7 years. And most disappear at the age of 10 to 13 years.
According to dr. Endang Windiastuti, MD, MM from the hematology department of RSCM in Jakarta, hemangiomas are divided into two types. These types are distinguished based on where the spots appear.
First, its location is shallow because the location of the blood vessel enlargement is on the surface of the skin. The symptoms that appear are lumps that look like blood vessels. Sometimes red spots appear around the lump.
1. Superficial Hemangioma
The location of the blood vessel enlargement is on the surface of the skin. The characteristics of the lump that resembles a cabbage will show a picture of red blood vessels. Sometimes there are red spots around the lump. This superficial type is mild and is also commonly called strawberry hemangioma.
2. Deep Hemangioma
The characteristics appear bluish in color. It can also be red if the blood vessels are quite numerous and are located further up the surface of the skin.
3. Mixed Hemangioma
This type is a combination of superficial hemangioma and deep hemangioma.
Is it dangerous for children?
Even though it is included in the tumor category, this condition is classified as a benign tumor that is not dangerous for children, because it can disappear on its own as the child gets older.
However, there is no harm if you ask the doctor to make sure that the red spots on the child’s body do not require special treatment. Such as causing disturbances in the child’s vision, breathing, hearing and movement.
Causes of Hemangioma in Babies
Hemangiomas consist of extra blood vessels that clump together into a dense mass. However, what causes these blood vessels to clump together is unknown.
Characteristics and Symptoms of Hemangioma
Most infantile hemangiomas grow larger over several months, then slowly shrink. In most cases, they usually grow most rapidly in the first 3 months. Shrinkage may begin by the end of the first year and continue until the child is 7 years old or older. Infantile hemangiomas often shrink (or contort) until they are no longer visible.
Because hemangiomas grow and change, they are called tumors, but they are not a type of cancer . Hemangiomas do not spread to other parts of the body or to other people. Also, a child can have more than one hemangioma.
Hemangioma Diagnosis
Hemangiomas in babies are usually recognized by their appearance and when they appear. Tests such as an MRI or ultrasound scan may be done to see how far the hemangioma is under the skin and whether it is affecting internal organs.
Risk Factors
Hemangiomas are more common in female babies, those with fair skin and those born prematurely .
Hemangioma Complications
Sometimes, a hemangioma can rupture and develop a sore. This can cause pain, bleeding, scarring or infection. Depending on where the hemangioma is located, it can interfere with your little one’s vision, breathing, hearing or elimination, but this is rare.
Hemangiomas can cause problems with:
- obstructing vision or eye movement
- reducing airflow through the nose and mouth
- bloody
- destroying the skin surface (ulceration)
- has enough blood flowing through it to put pressure on the baby’s heart
- affect the child’s appearance
- Also, large hemangiomas on the face may be associated with vascular anomalies in the brain.
Infantile hemangiomas often grow on the head or neck, where they cannot be easily hidden by clothing. Sometimes, the appearance of a hemangioma can make a child a target for teasing or bullying.
When Do Hemangiomas in Babies Need to Be Treated?
Whether a hemangioma requires treatment depends on the age of the baby, where the hemangioma is located and how quickly it grows, whether it becomes painful or scabby, and its risk of causing medical complications to the child’s health and well-being.
There are 3 main reasons for treatment:
1. Medical problems
In rare cases and depending on where the hemangioma is located and how quickly it grows, it may begin to interfere with vital functions.
A hemangioma near a child’s eyes, nose, or mouth, for example, can affect a child’s ability to see, eat, breathe, or hear properly. In rare cases, hemangiomas grow inside the body, which may need to be monitored with imaging tests.
2. Skin damage
Sometimes, the skin over the surface of a hemangioma breaks down and becomes an open sore (called an ulcer) that can cause bleeding, infection, or scarring.
3. Permanent skin changes
Changes in skin texture or color may persist even after the hemangioma has disappeared. This can be a concern, especially for hemangiomas on a child’s face. Large hemangiomas on facial features such as the nose or lips can also interfere with growth.
Types of Hemangioma Treatment in Babies
Treating hemangiomas is usually not necessary because they go away on their own over time. However, if a hemangioma affects vision or causes other problems, treatments may include medications or laser surgery.
If you’re considering treatment for your little one’s hemangioma, weigh the pros and cons with your pediatrician. Most infantile hemangiomas resolve on their own during childhood and certain treatments have potential side effects.
1. Beta blocker drugs (beta blockers)
For small superficial hemangiomas, a gel containing the drug timolol can be applied to the affected skin. Severe hemangiomas in infants may resolve with oral propranolol solution. Treatment usually needs to be continued until about 1 year of age. Side effects of this medication can include high blood sugar, low blood pressure, and wheezing.
The drug should be used under strict supervision by a doctor to watch for possible side effects above and complications.
2. Corticosteroid drugs
For children who do not respond to beta blockers or cannot take them, corticosteroids may be an option. These drugs can be injected into the nodules or applied topically to the skin. Side effects can include poor growth and thinning of the skin.
3. Laser surgery
Sometimes laser surgery can remove small, thin hemangiomas or treat scarring on the hemangioma.
4. Using topical medication
Topical medications applied directly to the skin may be used for small, superficial hemangiomas. Prescription creams or ointments containing beta-blockers are the most effective topical treatment options to help stop the growth and sometimes shrink and fade hemangiomas. In some cases, steroid creams may be prescribed for smaller, thinner hemangiomas.
Steroid injections can be given directly into the hemangioma to help slow its growth. This works best for smaller, localized hemangiomas.
5. Surgery
Surgery is usually only considered for smaller hemangiomas located in areas where they could cause problems, or for small hemangiomas with damaged skin.
Because surgery always leaves a scar and because most hemangiomas improve over time, early surgery is only recommended in a small proportion of cases.
Surgery can also correct extra skin or scarring left by a hemangioma, but is usually postponed until the child is between 3 and 5 years old.
6. Laser
Laser treatment can help in some cases to stop bleeding or help heal a hemangioma with an open wound (ulcer). It can also help remove some of the redness or texture changes that may remain after the hemangioma has healed.
Parents , I hope this is useful.
***
