Anyone know about a Hemangioma on a baby?

[Dear Maggie]

I know an 8 month old baby that has one of these on her forehead. It is about the size of a dime now, and 1/4 inch high. It seems to be growing, and she didn't have it at birth. Mom took accutane as a teen; dad was in the gulf war; baby seemed to have an exposure at Christmas to a chemical like 2-butoxyethanol. The flu without being sick, kind of thing ....

One doctor says no big deal
Another doctor seems concerned and measured it 2 months ago at baby's 6 month check up.

So who is right?

Following is a definition of what I think it may be, also there was an article on one of these situations Oct, 2004 Readers' Digest, "Picture Perfect"

http://hemawhat.tripod.com/description.htm

A hemangiomas is a type of birthmark, it is the most common type of vascular birthmark.. It is not a cancerous type of tumor, it is a benign growth of endothelial cells, that line the blood vessels.. In hemangiomas these cells multiply at an abnormally fast rate.

Definition: Hemangiomas are abnormally dense collections of dilated small blood vessels (capillaries) that may occur in the skin or internal organs. "hemangio" meaning blood vessels & "oma" meaning tumor.

Alternative names I've seen hemangiomas referred by: Strawberry nevus, cavernous hemangioma, compound hemangioma, angioma cavernosum, hemangioma simplex, capillary hemangioma, nevus flammeus (port wine stain) or flat hemangioma, strawberry mark, vascular tumor, vascular lesion, angiodysplasia.

Hemangiomas appear in the first month of life, 30% are visible at birth. (We noticed Danielle's white blanched spots 2 days after birth). They occur in 1 of every 10 infants and 60% develop on the head or neck. They are 3 times more common among girls and occur predominatently in caucasians. Babies weighing less that 2.2 lbs at birth have a 26% chance of developing a hemangioma. Many hemangiomas disappear spontaneously as a child gets older, but others may need treatment, which is why it is so important to seek a skilled specialist if in doubt. Hemangiomas may also occur internally, in organs such as the liver, spleen or pancreas.

[shawcomm]

1. I saw a show about them once

they can get scary. I'd definitely keep an eye out for any excessive growth. But, I'm nowhere near being a doctor, just saying what I'd do if I were a parent. I'd probably be wary of a doctor who just blew it off as nothing to worry about.

[Historic NY]

2. I don't know much but a co-workers son had something similar

he had a couple of surgeries at Albany Medical Center from birth to about 2yrs of age and it seems to be completely gone now. He did have a couple of bleeds in the beginning too.

Perhaps you can make contact with Albany Medical Center for some advice, they have a childrens hospital.

http://www.amc.edu/

Forgot to mention his was on his face.

[Dear Maggie]

4. Thanks for the lead

I took your advice and went to that website. Ended up e-mailing every one in immunology dept. www.amc.edu/academic/research/imd_faculty.cfm

One of them is interested in cell differentiation & since I wonder if some of these issues have to do with an immune system attacking one'self (autoimmune issues) who knows, maybe chemical that are teratogens are playing an effect, and it might give someone an idea to delve more into this area

It also seemed that it was a doctor in NY who helped the little girl of the article I mentioned (originally by a NY journalist) so maybe these can forward my request for more information.


A friend's doctor stated that "hemioangiomas are usually no big deals unless it keeps growing, then it must be dealt with. The possibility of bleeding exists, which is why if it's internal on an organ, it must be tested by an internist who really knows what she or he is doing. Most external h------s will disappear with time, altho they sure can look ugly in the meantime."

So, if there are some internally, how would people know that? Doctors wouldn't usually check elsewhere when baby seems healthy and happy (?)

[okieinpain]

3. my daughter has one on her hand. we call it her mood ring. it's

about 2" long, and 1/2" wide. they can get bad, and there is not much doctors can do from what I understand. my daughters sometimes will get pretty dark, which gives the impression that it's growing. but so far we've been lucky, and it really hasn't grown much. by the way she's 23 now.

[Vext]

5. My daughter had one that eventually disappeared

It was on her face right below her ear. It kind of looked like
she had the mumps. This was at around 16 months. It did appear
rather suddenly. We took her to the baby surgeon but he was reluctant
to do anything because it was so close to the facial nerve. It never
caused any pain or trouble except for appearance.

After a few years it disappeared.

Now she is a Democratic voting college student.

So, best of luck, I hope this baby has the same benign outcome.

[Dear Maggie]

6. Thanks

Yes, sounds like except in very extreme cases, best to let it be.

Thanks for sharing a success story

[yo-yo-ma]

7. just a bit more

the info you've received is sound

here's another link
http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic201.htm

although it is normal to go through a personal archeology for reasons following any unexpected diagnosis, hemangiomas are not caused by anything mom or dad did, and are not preventable as such.

as for "internal" hemangiomas -- very rare and unless you were to do an MRI or CT of the body, they would not be detected. from what little i remember, having an external hemangioma doesn't change the risk of an internal one.

[Dear Maggie]

9. Yes, a good site, and another

I don't see it now, but a moderator on this discussion forum, commented to a post I made that the gulf war vets did have a higher than normal number of hemangiomas in their children.

I don't know where she found that info, as there is precious little info on what the health ailments are of the 'gulf war syndrome' vets.

But this is the site:


http://www.novanews.org/forum/

Do you have any suggestions for Amelia's mom who is concerned about her one month old baby with a hemangioma on her buttock that has become ulcerated? They are being told to do lazer surgery.

internal hemangiomas are also possible: on the liver, spleen, pancreas per one definition that I saw

[Blue_In_AK]

8. My daughter had one on her arm...

...that wasn't visible when she was born, grew quite large, red and raised for a while, and then sort of mellowed out. Now (at 19) she's just got a little puffy place there that is just a slightly different shade than the rest of her arm. We were told not to worry about it, and apparently the advice was good for us.

[Dear Maggie]

10. Always present at birth - but some not EVIDENT until later

Each year 40,000 children are diagnosed with a significant vascular anomaly.

Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of infancy and children. Most develop in the first few weeks of life. Hemangioma occur in 5-10% of all children, and are more common in females then males.

Vascular Malformations are abnormally developed vessels that can occur in any of the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. Vascular Malformations are always present at birth but often do not become evident until later in life.

Hemangioma and Vascular Malformations are often confused and misdiagnosed. This leads to frustation for the parents and the families of those affected. The National Organization of Vascular Anomalies was founded to provide assistance to those individuals affected by hemangioma, vascular malformation and all related syndromes.

NOVA provides more info http://www.novanews.org/

[Dear Maggie]

11. Platelets are high?

Hemangioma and Vascular Malformations

Vascular Malformations are abnormally developed vessels that can occur in any of the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. Vascular Malformations are always present at birth but often do not become evident until later in life.

http://www.novanews.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=41

Dr. Denise Adams in Cincinnati. she is a hematologist that specializes in the medical managment of hemangioma. Her background in hematology makes her an expert with the blood work issues. She will definately speak to you over the phone and address these issues. There are complications related to large hemangiomas that she can discuss with you. Please call her at work at 513-636-8605. Please also read the article on this message board called Phaces Syndrome!
Karla

This message is a reply from Dr. Denise Adams, MD Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Posted by Hemangioma Newsline Message Board Administrator.

"Platlets are elevated in all patients with hemangioma, most likely secondary to the prliferative effect. We see this all the time in other illness with children where the counts goes up to 1 million. I have already contacted this patient and gave her the names of physicians in Dallas. The patients needs medical managment of the hemangioma as well."

I wonder why?

[Dear Maggie]

12. Platelets may not be high

When discussing this with the group moderator, she backed off ... and then had the board of directors ask me not to post any more.

So, that must be an incorrect statement that platelets are high

They did leave some of my posts, so they see some validity to what I'm sharing, but don't want to venture forth in that direction. Their loss.