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Gastrointestinal bleeding in infantile hemangioma: a complication of segmental, rather than multifocal, infantile

Beth A Drolet1, Elena Pope, Anna M Juern

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. bdrolet@mcw.edu

The Journal of Pediatrics
|January 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Facial segmental hemangiomas in infants may indicate a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. This association suggests a potential link between these conditions, requiring further investigation for early diagnosis and management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Dermatology
  • Vascular Malformations

Background:

  • Infantile hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors in infants.
  • Segmental patterns of infantile hemangiomas may be associated with specific syndromes and complications.
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding is a rare but serious complication in infants with hemangiomas.

Observation:

  • A multicenter retrospective case series identified ten female infants with infantile hemangiomas.
  • Nine of the ten infants presented with facial segmental hemangiomas.
  • Nine infants experienced severe gastrointestinal bleeding requiring transfusions, often originating from the small intestine.

Findings:

  • Facial segmental hemangiomas were associated with a high incidence of severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • The hemangiomas often involved the small intestine within the superior mesenteric artery distribution.
  • Treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding required multiple interventions, including medications and surgery.

Implications:

  • The presence of a facial segmental hemangioma should raise suspicion for associated gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Early recognition and management of gastrointestinal bleeding in infants with segmental hemangiomas are crucial.
  • This association may warrant further investigation into underlying pathogenetic mechanisms and diagnostic approaches.
Abstract

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