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Updated: May 3, 2026
Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
Published on: December 20, 2011
E-learning enables parents to assess an infantile hemangioma
Marlies de Graaf1, Mirjam J Knol2, Joan E E Totté3
1Department of Pediatric Dermatology and Allergology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Background:
Infantile hemangiomas (IH) at risk for complications need to be recognized early.
Objective:
We sought to determine if parents are able to assess, after e-learning, whether their child has an IH, is at risk for complications, and needs to be seen (urgently) by a specialist.
Methods:
This was a prospective study of 158 parents participating in an IH e-learning module. Parents were asked to assess their child's skin abnormality. A dermatologist answered the same questions (by e-consult). The 2 assessments were compared.
Results:
Parents showed a 96% concordance with the dermatologist for correct diagnosis after e-learning. Concordances were 79%, 75%, and 84% (P < .001), respectively, on assessing the risk of complications, the need to be seen by a specialist, and the urgency for specialized care.
Limitations:
Parents had a relatively high education level and were therefore not representative of the general population.
Conclusion:
Parents were able to correctly diagnose and evaluate an IH after completing an e-learning module. E-learning by parents could result in earlier presentation and treatment of high-risk IH.
