Early Presentation of an Ulcerated Infantile Haemangioma in a Newborn
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
Filipa Carvalho1, Maria Liberal2, Filipa Vale3
1Family Medicine, ACeS Ave - Famalicão, USF S. Miguel o Anjo, Vila Nova de Famalicão, PRT.
Insights
Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are common childhood tumors. Early recognition and treatment of IH complications, like ulceration, are crucial for positive outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are the most common pediatric soft tissue tumors.
- IHs typically resolve spontaneously, but treatment is indicated based on location, size, and complications.
Observation:
- A newborn presented with a 5x5 cm infantile haemangioma showing inflammatory signs and causing discomfort.
- The lesion's location in the anogenital area prompted referral for specialized care.
Findings:
- Treatment included a 10-day course of flucloxacillin and topical silver sulfadiazine with zinc oxide barrier cream.
- Extensive workup, including imaging, revealed no other abnormalities.
- The treatment resulted in a favorable clinical outcome.
Implications:
- Ulceration is a common IH complication associated with pain, bleeding, and infection.
- Prompt diagnosis and targeted management are essential for managing IH complications and ensuring good clinical results.
Abstract:
Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign soft tissue tumours in children. Usually, they evolve without clinical incurrences and regression of the lesion can occur spontaneously in the first years of life. The decision for treatment is dependent upon the intrinsic characteristics of the lesion such as location, extension, functional compromise and complications. We present the case of a newborn who was clinically accessed during ambulatory routine consultation when a lesion with 5x5 centimetres compatible with an IH was first observed. Inflammatory signs with no active bleeding were present and the newborn displayed signs of discomfort during a diaper change and manipulation of the anogenital area. For this reason, a referral was made for observation in a central hospital with specialised paediatrics, paediatric surgery and dermatology support. A 10-day antibiotic course with flucloxacillin and local topical care with silver sulfadiazine cream and barrier cream with zinc oxide were adopted, achieving a good clinical outcome. Laboratory workup, cardiovascular assessment, imagiological investigation with abdominopelvic and spinal cord ultrasonography as well as lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging were all normal. Ulceration is the most prevalent complication of IHs and it is associated with pain, recurrent bleeding, infection and difficult scarring, thus early recognition and directed treatment are essential to achieve a good clinical outcome.
