Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

06:51
A Patient-Derived Xenograft Model for Venous Malformation
Published on: June 15, 2020
Infantile hemangioma in four siblings
Rafael A Couto1, Aladdin H Hassanein, Reid A Maclellan
1Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Vascular Anomalies Center, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115, USA.
Pediatric Dermatology
|July 13, 2012
Summary
Four siblings were diagnosed with infantile hemangiomas, a rare occurrence with no prior family history. This case highlights a statistically improbable event in pediatric oncology.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Genetics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Infantile hemangioma is the most common tumor in infancy, affecting about 5.0% of Caucasian infants.
- While often benign, infantile hemangiomas can present with complications requiring medical attention.
Observation:
- A case study detailing four siblings diagnosed with infantile hemangiomas.
- Notably, there was no reported family history of this tumor in the affected family.
- Specific conditions observed included one infant with low birth weight, one set of twins, and three infants presenting with multiple lesions.
Findings:
- The occurrence of four siblings with infantile hemangiomas is statistically rare.
- The estimated probability of four consecutive children exhibiting this phenotype is exceptionally low, calculated at 1 in 4,232,804.
Implications:
- This case suggests potential, yet uncharacterized, genetic or environmental factors contributing to infantile hemangioma development within families.
- Further research is warranted to explore the etiology of familial infantile hemangiomas.
- Understanding rare familial presentations can inform genetic counseling and risk assessment for pediatric tumors.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Veins of Head and Neck
The blood drainage from the head and neck is primarily managed by three pairs of veins: the external jugular, internal jugular, and vertebral veins. The external jugular veins drain superficial scalp and face structures, passing over the sternocleidomastoid muscles to empty into the subclavian veins.
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...

