Abstract Body

Background &Aim: Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are vascular neoplasms being the most common tumors of childhood being characterized by aberrant blood vessel architecture.

Although most of them involute without treatment there is a subset that will develop complications which may lead to functional impairment or disfigurement.

Since proliferation occurs during early infancy primary care providers most times assume the role of in the management of IH and evaluate whether intervention is necessary.

Physical examination for determining which lesions require early consultation with a specialist implies a knowledge on evolutionary phases and categorization of IH.

In this review, we present a methodical approach to risk stratification, essential for determining which lesions require early consultation with a specialist

Methods: Literature review through PubMed, from 2015 to 2020, using the MeSH terms “Infantile Hemangioma”.

Results:

Clinical observations on soft tissue depth, anatomic appearance and associated structural abnormalities are the first considerations in the management of IH allowing the stratification of risk.

Emergency intervention is necessary in IH with life-threatening complications like airway obstruction as well as liver IHs associated with high-output congestive heart failure. Urgent treatment of IHs is needed when exist bleeding, pain or imminent functional impairment.

Some lesions require specialist evaluation to identify structural anomalies associated with IH and also to evaluate elective treatment to reduce the likelihood of long-term or permanent disfigurement

Conclusions:

For most infant’s involution of IH can be observed without treatment, however many others benefit from medical or surgical intervention being essential the recognition of IH risk characteristics.