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1: J Pediatr. 2007 Dec;151(6):684-9, 689.e1. Epub 2007 Aug 24.Click here to read Links
Erratum in:
J Pediatr. 2008 Apr;152(4):597.

Multicenter prospective study of ulcerated hemangiomas.

Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Children's Memorial Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical features of infants with ulcerated infantile hemangiomas. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted within a prospective cohort study of children with infantile hemangiomas. Children younger than 12 years of age were recruited. Demographic and prenatal/perinatal information was collected. Hemangioma size, location, subtype, course, complications, and treatments were recorded. RESULTS: One thousand ninety-six patients were enrolled, and 173 (15.8%) patients experienced ulceration. Ulceration occurred in 192 (9.8%) of 1960 [corrected] total hemangiomas. Hemangiomas with ulcerations were more likely large, mixed clinical type, segmental morphologic type, and located on the lower lip, neck, or anogenital region. Ulceration occurred at a median age of 4 months, most often during the proliferative phase. Children with ulcerated hemangiomas were more likely to present to a pediatric dermatologist at a younger age and to require treatment. Bleeding occurred in 41% of ulcerated lesions but was rarely of clinical significance. Infection occurred in 16%. CONCLUSIONS: Ulceration occurs in nearly 16% of patients with infantile hemangiomas, most often by 4 months of age, during the proliferative phase. Location, size, and clinical and morphologic type are associated with an increased risk for development of ulceration.

PMID: 18035154 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]