Congenital and Infantile Hemangiomas: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Treatment Characteristics Based on 3 Years' Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital - A Retrospective Case Comparison and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Distinguishing between congenital and infantile hemangiomas is challenging, but essential for appropriate treatment. The immunohistochemical marker glucose transporter type 1 is helpful, but biopsies are uncommon in this setting. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe and compare epidemiological, clinical, and treatment characteristics of congenital and infantile hemangiomas diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital over 3 years. We studied 107 hemangiomas: 34 congenital hemangiomas (rapidly involuting, partially involuting, and noninvoluting), 70 infantile hemangiomas, and 3 hemangiomas pending classification. Superficial infantile hemangiomas of the head and neck were the most prevalent tumors. Congenital hemangiomas were most often located on the trunk. Studied risk factors were more common in patients with infantile hemangiomas. In this group of patients, treatment response was independent of sex, in vitro fertilization, lesion depth and location, and type of treatment.

Keywords: Congenital hemangiomas; Factores de riesgo; Hemangiomas congénitos; Hemangiomas infantiles; Infantile hemangiomas; Propranolol; Risk factors; Timolol.