Strawberry Birthmarks in Infants

Strawberry birthmark or hemangioma is a vascular birthmark that appears like a red swelling on the bodies of newborns. Most often, these birthmarks are not noticed at the time of birth, and start appearing in the second or third week after birth. Their size increases very quickly until the child is 8-10 months old and they can grow to a size of 5-7 cms in diameter, acquiring the shape and color of a strawberry.

Causes of Strawberry Birthmarks

Strawberry birthmarks are benign tumors caused due to the presence of excess, unnatural blood vessels in the skin. Although the exact reason for the appearance of these extra blood vessels is not known, it is said that they are the result of a type of protein produced during pregnancy. Sometimes, strawberry birthmarks are hereditary in nature.

Types of Strawberry Birthmarks

Strawberry birthmarks are of two types: superficial hemangiomas and cavernous hemangiomas. Superficial hemangiomas are marks that appear on the surface of an infant's skin and cavernous hemangiomas are those marks, which are found internally. Usually, a child has only one strawberry birthmark, however there are cases wherein multiple birthmarks are seen.

Risk Factors

Superficial hemangiomas can appear anywhere on the infant's body, but is usually seen on the head, face or neck. They acquire their full size until the baby is 10 months old and then the mark begins to subside. In most cases, it totally disappears before the child turns 5. However, sometimes it may remain till he or she attains teenage, leaving a faint scar or a slight discoloration. Superficial hemangiomas are normally not harmful or painful for a baby, but if the birthmark is near the eyes, nose, mouth or on the diaper area, it may affect the infant's sight, breathing, eating or may also cause difficulty in passing feces.

Cavernous hemangiomas are internal birthmarks and may affect the internal organs like the lungs, liver or other organs according to its location in the body. It is possible to detect them through angiography.

Strawberry hemangioma is most commonly seen in female babies, than in male ones. Also, children who are born prematurely and babies with low weight are at a higher risk of developing this birthmark. It is also observed that Caucasian (white) children are more prone to it than children from other cultures.

Treatment for Strawberry Birthmarks

There is a difference of opinion regarding the treatment for strawberry birthmarks. While certain practitioners advice not to bother about these birthmarks and allow them to subside on their own, others emphasize on treating the birthmark as soon as it appears, in order to avoid future complications in the infant's growth.

Normally, strawberry birthmarks or hemangiomas subside without any kind of treatment. However, if the hemangiomas affect certain bodily functions, there are ways in which they can be removed. Laser treatment is most commonly used for treating strawberry birthmarks. Sometimes, corticosteroids are injected or given orally to stop the growth of these birthmarks. Another method is cryosurgery where the birthmark is frozen, thus putting it to an end.

Plastic surgery is also another option, however it is usually the last option for the removal of a birthmark. It can also be done to remove the scars left by the strawberry hemangioma.

Treatment for strawberry hemangioma may cause severe side effects, leading to high blood pressure or even retard the growth of the child.

Even though strawberry birthmarks or hemangiomas are not dangerous, parents may be horrified to see this ugly-looking growth on their infant's body. They may become distressed when this birthmark appears on the baby's face, thinking that it may disfigure the child's appearance. They may also be worried about the fact that their child would be teased by peers, which may severely affect their self-confidence. As even doctors cannot surely tell as to when the birthmark will subside, parents are concerned about the course of action that they should be taken.

Parents of a child with strawberry birthmarks should research well and preferably take a second opinion, before choosing any plan of action. Rather than focusing only on the physical appearance of the infant, they should first make sure that the treatment they choose does not prove dangerous to the health of their little one.