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Published on: June 15, 2020
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: arteriovenous malformations in children
Paola Giordano1, Gennaro M Lenato, Patrizia Suppressa
1Pediatric Unit, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Insights
Children with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) have a high prevalence of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Large AVMs are linked to complications, underscoring the need for screening.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Pediatric Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation.
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a common complication of HHT, affecting various organs.
- Early identification and management of AVMs are crucial for preventing complications in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess clinical features in pediatric HHT patients.
- To identify predictors for AVM onset and clinical significance.
- To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of AVMs in children with genetically confirmed HHT.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cross-sectional survey of children with genetically confirmed HHT1 or HHT2.
- Comprehensive clinical and radiological evaluation for AVM detection.
- Analysis of mutation type (endoglin or ACVRL1) and AVM characteristics.
Main Results:
- 44 children (mean age 10.3 years) were evaluated.
- AVMs were prevalent: cerebrovascular (7/44), pulmonary (20/44), and liver (23/44).
- Large visceral AVMs were more frequent in HHT1 and associated with symptoms/complications.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric HHT patients exhibit a high prevalence of AVMs.
- Clinical and radiological screening protocols are recommended for early detection.
- Large AVMs pose a clinical risk in childhood, while small AVMs appear to have minimal risk.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical features in a large cohort of pediatric patients with genetically confirmed hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and to identify possible predictors of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) onset or clinical significance.
Study Design:
Prospective cross-sectional survey of all children subjected to screening for AVMs in the multidisciplinary HHT center. All patients proved to be carriers of endoglin mutations or activin A receptor type-II-like kinase 1 mutations, defined as HHT1 and HHT2, respectively. A full clinical-radiological protocol for AVM detection was adopted, independent from presence or absence of AVM-related symptoms.
Results:
Forty-four children (mean age, 10.3 years; range, 1-18) were subjected to a comprehensive clinical-radiologic evaluation. This investigation disclosed cerebrovascular malformations in 7 of 44 cases, pulmonary AVMs in 20 of 44 cases, and liver AVMs in 23 of 44 cases. Large visceral AVMs were found in 12 of 44 children and were significantly more frequent in patients with HHT1. Only large AVMs were associated with symptoms and complications.
Conclusions:
Children with HHT have a high prevalence of AVMs; therefore, an appropriate clinical and radiological screening protocol is advisable. Large AVMs can be associated with complications in childhood, whereas small AVMs probably have no clinical risk.
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