The Infant Hemangioma and What to Do

An infant hemangioma, otherwise known as a birthmark, is a tumor of cells that line blood vessels and may grow at an increasing rate. Studies show that it is common among hemangiomas to grow rapidly and reduce in size after 1-2 years. Shortly after birth, we noticed that our 3 month yr old daughter's birthmark on the back of her neck had grown at an abnormal rate. We did the necessary research, and accepted the pediatricians' advice, and decided to wait and watch the defection. This was our first mistake.

Due to the sensitive location of the birthmark, it was in constant interference with objects positioned behind her. For instance, she was unable to lie on her back or sit upright, leaned against hard furniture. In fact, initially the hemangioma caused little distraction or pain. However, as it grew, it began to conflict with her surroundings. Eventually, a scab developed from the slight loss of blood excreting her vessels in that location. The scab would therefore interact with clothing, blankets, and nearly everything else; causing the disruption of fluid after removing the scab from her skin. After heeding the doctor's recommendation and watching as she cried endlessly in pain, we proceeded to seek further help.

To make this short, our pediatrician referred us to 3 different dermatologists, 1 cardiologist, and 1 surgeon in the Las Vegas area. As you may expect, the turnover time between appointments lasted roughly 2-3 days and the hemangioma was continuing to grow and affect the child's routine schedule. Each doctor simply referred us to another practice or advised us to wait it out. The first surgeon mentioned that the scab was too large and there was not enough skin surrounding to fill in the hole after surgery. The cardiologist prescribed us propanolol, a beta blocker used to slow the blood flow. I was diagnosed with hypertension in the Marine Corps, and was prescribed this medicine. I researched its effects on infants and discovered many were positive, with a reduction in the size resulting in merely 2-3 days. And thus we began to use our only hope at remedying this deformation.

Days had passed and we were reluctant to say the least; as the hemangioma appeared to reduce in size and transform the scab into a blackish color. I might add that nearly two weeks ago we had admitted her to the emergency room for advice on how to keep the wound covered and prevent further interference. If you can picture it, the gauze was wrapped from the back of her neck, around her forehead to best secure it from falling off. Each day we were to clean the wound and re-bandage it. How is the scab suppose to heal if each day her scab is sticking to the gauze and inflicting pain and blood loss during cleaning? Was she going to have this bandage around her head until the scab is gone? These were questions we asked ourselves as time progressed.

After poor recommendations from specialists, etc., we finally met with a surgeon who would be able to do the operation. In fact, within an hour the anesthesiologist had her prepared for surgery. This article is intended to provide those parents in similar situations that other alternatives are available; excluding what most doctors will tell you. It is by far the best decision we made, and our 4 month yr old does not have to experience that kind of pain anymore. I pray that other babies are as fortunate, as I know that some hemangiomas may affect parts of the body where they may be irremovable.