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Why are hemangiomas so common in infants? A mysterious reason that the medical community still cannot explain!
Infant hemangiomas, a common benign tumor, are often called "strawberry nevus" because their appearance is reminiscent of strawberries. These hemangiomas usually appear within a few weeks of birth and grow rapidly over the next few months. Although they eventually shrink and disappear over time, the medical community is still undecided about their exact cause.
Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor in infants, affecting approximately 5-10% of newborns.
There is currently no definite explanation for what triggers hemangiomas in infants. Studies have shown that estrogen signaling may be related to the proliferation of hemangiomas. Some scientists have also suggested that the fetus may be affected by the mother's placenta during pregnancy, leading to the formation of hemangiomas. However, this theory was questioned in subsequent genetic analyses.
Other potential causes of hemangiomas, including localized soft tissue hypoxia and rising estrogen levels after birth, also appear to be driving forces in their development. Statistically, these tumors tend to be more common in white women, premature infants, and low-birth-weight infants.
The size, color and shape of hemangiomas will vary depending on how deep they are in the skin, and most hemangiomas will reach maximum improvement around the age of 3.5 years.
Hemangiomas usually appear as bright red or blue raised lesions on the skin. These lesions may not only affect the skin, but can also appear in other areas such as the liver and digestive tract. While the appearance of these tumors may be scary to parents, experts say that in most cases no treatment is needed and the only concern is whether they affect vision or breathing.
Manifestations and types of hemangiomas
Hemangioma formation usually begins within a few weeks of a baby's life as a red, purple, or blue patch and increases in size over several months. Different types of hemangiomas have different manifestations. Superficial hemangiomas tend to appear more pronounced as bright red bumps, while deep-seated hemangiomas appear as vague blue patches.
77% of hemangiomas occur in the head or neck area, and hemangiomas in these areas are most likely to cause complications such as ulcers.
Possible complications
Although most hemangiomas do not pose a serious health threat, ulceration or bleeding may occur. If the hemangioma is located in the throat or around the eyes, it may affect normal breathing or vision. For hemangiomas in certain locations, rare conditions such as high-output heart failure may occur if they are not monitored.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Most hemangiomas are diagnosed based on their appearance and medical history. Doctors usually use physical examination to determine the type and nature of the tumor. In rare cases, imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may also be used to aid diagnosis. Most hemangioma disappear naturally over time and do not require treatment, but in certain cases (such as if the lesion affects vision or breathing), drug or surgical intervention may be needed.
As babies age, hemangiomas usually shrink and disappear, a process that can take years.
Conclusion
The ubiquity of hemangiomas has led us to think deeply about their causes. Although existing research has provided some possible explanations, the exact root cause still cannot be found. As we watch these tiny tumors disappear, we can't help but wonder: Will future medicine be able to unravel the mystery surrounding these infantile hemangiomas?
