Dermatología Pediatrica

Haemangiomas of infancy are the commonest benign tumour in childhood, with the majority being a localized subtype, only requiring therapy inspecific locations.

Tai Anh Phan, Susan Adams and Orli Wargon
Australasian Journal of Dermatology 47 (4), 242-247.

The segmental subtype, however, confers a higher complication rate, an association with the PHACE syndrome and poorerprognosis. This retrospective case series of 14 infants with segmentalhaemangiomas aimed to further define the variety of clinicalpresentations, complication rates, and response to treatment in this subset of patients. We found in our series that 71% of infants withsegmental haemangiomas develop at least one complication related tothe lesion. Systemic corticosteroids prevented the further growth as well as reduced the pain and ulceration of the segmental haemangiomasin all of those treated. Early recognition and early treatment toarrest the growth of segmental haemangiomas will reduce morbidity and complications associated with these haemangiomas. Corticosteroid use,however, needs to be considered against the high incidence ofside-effects such as secondary hypertension (40%), cushingoid features (40%) and growth suppression (67%). In our experience, these infantsbenefit from multidisciplinary team involvement for the assessment ofassociated syndromes, and to follow up and avoid complications associated with systemic therapy.