Infantile hemangiomas: risk factors for complications, recurrence and unaesthetic sequelae

Abstract Background: Infantile hemangiomas (IH) occur in approximately 4% to 10% of the pediatric population. The identification of clinical subtypes and conditions that indicate increased risk for complications is essential for therapeutic success. Objectives: To identify risk factors for complications, recurrence and unaesthetic sequelae. Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients with infantile hemangiomas undergoing follow-up at the Dermatology Service of Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, between 2006 and 2018. Results: 190 patients were included; 24% had some type of complication, ulceration being the most frequent, and 86% required treatment. On correlation, ulceration was statistically related to mixed IH (p = 0.004), segmental IH (p < 0.01) and location in the gluteal region (p = 0.001). The mean time of treatment with propranolol was 12.7 months. Patients with PHACES syndrome and segmental infantile hemangioma required longer treatment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0407, respectively), as well as those who started treatment after five months of life (p < 0.0001). Recurrence occurred in 16.6% of the treated patients, all-female; 94% were located on the head and neck (mainly on the upper eyelid, cyrano, S3 segment, and with parotid involvement); 61% and 38.8% were of the mixed and deep subtypes, respectively. Approximately 1/3 of the patients had some unaesthetic sequelae. Study limitations: As this is a retrospective study, data and photos of some patients were lost. Conclusions: Mixed and segmental hemangiomas are risk factors for ulceration and sequelae. Recurrence occurs more often in females and segmental hemangiomas. Segmental infantile hemangioma and PHACES syndrome require a longer time of treatment. Specific protocols are required for infantile hemangiomas with a high risk of recurrence.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mariani,Letícia Gaertner, Ferreira,Lílian Moraes, Rovaris,Diego Luiz, Bonamigo,Renan Rangel, Kiszewski,Ana Elisa
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia 2022
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0365-05962022000100037
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