Current knowledge of the pathogenesis of infantile hemangiomas

Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2005 Sep-Oct;7(5):319-21. doi: 10.1001/archfaci.7.5.319.

Abstract

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor of infancy, occurring shortly after birth in 5% to 10% of white infants. Hemangiomas occur in infants of all races but are most common in those who are white. These lesions are preponderant in females compared with males at rates of 3:1 to 5:1. Many hemangiomas are discrete, well-circumscribed masses present in the head and neck. Some hemangiomas are segmental and diffuse, often involving large areas of the extremities or the head and neck. Chorionic villus sampling at 9 to 12 weeks of gestation has been associated with a 21% increased incidence of hemangiomas in infants. Most hemangiomas occur sporadically without a hereditary component. However, in a few families, hemangiomas segregate as a highly penetrant, autosomal dominant trait. Gene linkage studies of familial infantile hemangiomas show evidence of linkage to chromosome 5q31-33.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Hemangioma / epidemiology*
  • Hemangioma / genetics*
  • Hemangioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Factors
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology