An analysis of information about infantile hemangiomas on TikTok: A cross-sectional study

Sonora Yun; Maria C Garzon; Kimberly D Morel

doi:10.1111/pde.15545

An analysis of information about infantile hemangiomas on TikTok: A cross-sectional study

Pediatr Dermatol. 2024 Mar-Apr;41(2):253-255. doi: 10.1111/pde.15545. Epub 2024 Feb 11.

Authors

Sonora Yun¹, Maria C Garzon^{2

3}, Kimberly D Morel^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
² Department of Dermatology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
³ Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.

PMID: 38342506
DOI: 10.1111/pde.15545

Abstract

The video app TikTok, a controversial platform, has increasingly been utilized for the dissemination of health-related topics. In this study, the quality of information on the top 50 most viewed TikTok videos on infantile hemangiomas (IHs) labeled #hemangioma was analyzed. The results showed that the videos were skewed toward more severe subtypes of IH, and most were directed at raising awareness about IH or combating stigmatizing attitudes toward birthmarks. Providers should be aware that social media applications such as TikTok are a commonly used venue for parents to cope and connect but may relay inaccurate or misleading information.

Keywords: TikTok; dermatology; infantile hemangioma; parents; social media.

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Hemangioma*
Hemangioma, Capillary*
Humans
Parents
Social Media*