Dear Concerned Parent,
If you find yourself among the many parents puzzled by that prominent, raised ‘birthmark’ on your little one’s body, it’s perfectly understandable that you’ve reached out to my office repeatedly and sought an appointment with urgency. The anxiety you feel is completely valid.
As a father myself, I understand that overwhelming sense of concern (but let’s keep that between us). As a pediatric plastic surgeon, I can assure you that what you’re seeing is called a hemangioma. Don’t let the term or its appearance intimidate you; they are much less alarming than they may seem.
What is a Hemangioma?
Hemangiomas are large, reddish birthmarks that often appear in the first few weeks of life and can grow for a period of 10 to 14 months. Essentially, they are benign tumors made up of clusters of blood vessels within the skin and fat layers. These marks are also known as “strawberry marks” or “vascular birthmarks.” Typically, they do not manifest immediately at birth, which can understandably worry new parents when they see one develop. If I were to encounter one on one of my children without prior knowledge, I would share your concern.
Reassurance About Hemangiomas
Take comfort in knowing that hemangiomas are generally harmless and are likely to shrink and fade away on their own by the time children reach five years of age. I handle these cases regularly.
You may wonder why these occur. Despite extensive research, the precise reasons for the emergence of hemangiomas remain unclear. There are various scientific theories, but to alleviate your fears, here are some reassuring points:
- They are NOT hereditary,
- They are NOT caused by exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, and
- They do NOT become cancerous, spread like cancer, or indicate any serious underlying health issues in most cases.
Good news, isn’t it?
What Should You Do Next?
First, obtaining an accurate diagnosis is crucial. While over 90% of hemangioma cases can be identified based on appearance alone (preferably by a board-certified pediatric plastic surgeon), other similar marks, like a “Cupid’s kiss” (a red mark on the forehead) or a “stork bite” on the back of the neck (my children had these too), are also harmless but differ in appearance and lifecycle. This is why consulting with a specialist is key to understanding what you are facing from the start.
Once you have the correct diagnosis, the next step is to develop a plan. You may wonder about potential complications: What if it enlarges? What if it bleeds? What if the skin swells or flakes off? Please don’t panic; these are merely ‘what-ifs.’ The majority of hemangiomas can be monitored until they naturally disappear over several years, even those that are larger and located on the chest, abdomen, or limbs. However, if the hemangioma is on your child’s face and is affecting her eye, surgical removal might be an option worth discussing, and there are pros and cons to consider. My general approach is to recommend removal only if it obstructs vision or causes significant disfigurement. Additionally, you might want to discuss the medication propranolol with your specialist, which has been shown to effectively control hemangioma growth in the first year of life. Yet, if the hemangioma isn’t impacting your child’s quality of life, I often suggest leaving it be—that’s just my perspective.
Final Thoughts
My primary message to you, as a surgeon and a father, is that you’re not alone in this journey, and these birthmarks are not dangerous. Approximately one in ten children are born with a hemangioma, making it a common occurrence. Don’t hesitate to consult with a specialist to ease your concerns, but in the meantime, take a deep breath. Your baby will be fine, and so will you. I can assure you of that.
For more information on related topics, check out our post on couples fertility journey for intracervical insemination. If you’re looking for an authoritative source on home insemination, consider the Cryobaby home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo. Additionally, for excellent resources on pregnancy, visit Womenshealth.gov.
In summary, hemangiomas are common and typically harmless birthmarks that often resolve on their own. While it’s natural to feel concerned, know that you’re not alone and there are specialists available to help guide you through this process.
Keyphrase: hemangioma in babies
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