What Is an Infantile Hemangioma?
Infantile hemangiomas are non-cancerous vascular tumors. They are abnormal growths of cells that line the inner surface of blood vessels (endothelial cells). They are the most common tumor of childhood. Hemangiomas occur in about 1 in every 20 infants. Hemangiomas happen more often in premature infants and multiple births like twins and triplets.
Infantile hemangiomas may be visible at birth or may not be recognized until the first few weeks or months of life. Most hemangiomas are noted by 2 to 3 weeks of age. They can occur in any area of the body, but the head and neck are the most common. Some lesions are small and barely visible. Others are large and very easy to see. Most individuals only have one hemangioma, but some patients have multiple.
The cause of hemangiomas is not fully known. They are not related to drugs or medications that may have been taken during pregnancy. They are not related to any environmental exposures that may have occurred during that time. Hemangiomas are not inherited.
Typically, infantile hemangiomas first have a period of growth (called the proliferative phase). This is followed by a period of shrinkage (called the involutive phase). Most hemangiomas begin their growth phase shortly after birth. This phase usually lasts for four to nine months (average six months). Each lesion grows at a different rate. The involutive phase is much slower and can take up to 10 years (when not treated). Most hemangiomas go away completely. Some hemangiomas do not shrink completely and may leave extra skin or fatty tissue, skin discoloration or telangiectasias (tiny blood vessels of the skin).
Infantile hemangiomas are different than congenital hemangiomas. Congenital hemangiomas are fully grown at birth and do not increase in size like infantile hemangiomas.
