Approximately 4 to 10 percent of Caucasian babies develop at least one hemangioma during the first few weeks following birth, explain health professionals with Children's Hospital Boston. A hemangioma is a noncancerous tumor that develops within the cells along the inside of an infant's blood vessels. These growths most commonly appear across the head and neck, though they may also develop on other regions of the body, such as the legs, trunk, liver or gastrointestinal tract. A parent or caregiver should consult a doctor to discuss the potential complications with hemangioma.
Ulceration
An infant who develops a hemangioma can experience skin ulceration as a complication of this condition. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of young children with a hemangioma also develop an ulcer, explain Children's Hospital Boston medical experts. An ulcer is a skin lesion that arises due to the breakdown of the skin. The affected skin region develops an open sore than can appear red, encrusted, inflamed or irritated. Skin ulcerations are typically painful and may cause irritability or fussiness in affected infants. Ulcerated skin is also more susceptible to infection and may increase an infant's risk of developing a scar at the lesion site. Typically, ulcer complications with hemangiomas resolve within a few weeks of onset and do not reappear.
Bleeding
A hemangioma that is inadvertently scratched or injured can begin bleeding as a complication in affected infants, explain health experts with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. The blood vessels in which these types of tumors grow are abnormal and bleed quickly upon injury. Typically, bleeding subsides when a parent or caregiver places direct pressure on the injured skin region for approximately 15 minutes. If bleeding complications persist or recur, the affected infant should be evaluated by a doctor.
Facial Distortion
Children's Hospital Boston medical experts estimate that 60 percent of hemangiomas develop across the head and neck of affected children. Tumors that occur across an infant's face can distort her appearance. Though nearly 70 percent of children experience tumor regression by the age of seven, the hemangioma may leave permanent scars at the affected skin site. Parents and caregivers should consult a doctor to discuss how facial distortion complications with hemangioma can be avoided or treated.
Vital Function Obstruction
Hemangiomas that develop within or near the eyes, ears, throat or body can obstruct the vital functions of these organs, warn health professionals with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Consequently, affected infants can experience severe complications that include vision, hearing or breathing difficulties. Rarely, large hemangioma tumors within a child's liver can result in serious heart related complications, such as heart failure, explain Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center health experts.
References
- Children's Hospital Boston: Hemangioma
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: Hemangiomas - What are the possible complications?
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta: Infant Hemangioma
- UpToDate: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Complications of Infantile Hemangiomas
- Children's Hospital and Health System: Infantile Hemangioma and Hemangioma Treatment
