Vascular Anomalies in Children

In addition to providing the highest level of care, our team of pediatric specialists is committed to educating families and helping them manage these sometimes challenging conditions.

Our team of experts in multiple pediatric specialties include:

• Pediatric cancer
• Pediatric dermatology
• Pediatric ear, nose & throat (otolaryngology) 
• Pediatric orthopaedic surgery
• Pediatric plastic & reconstructive surgery
• Pediatric radiology
• Pediatric surgery

The same physicians who provide care for patients with vascular anomalies are actively involved in basic and clinical research on these conditions. Our laboratory research, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeks to identify the mechanisms that underlie the development of hemangiomas and vascular malformations. Active involvement in clinical trials allows us to offer our patients the best available current treatments, as well as access to up-and-coming therapies.

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We welcome the opportunity to provide a second opinion on the diagnosis and/or treatment plan for children with vascular anomalies. As a referral center for the Midwest, we also serve as a resource for pediatricians, dermatologists and surgeons looking for specialty evaluation and a multidisciplinary program.

Vascular anomalies are birthmarks composed of blood vessels (arteries, veins, lymphatic vessels and/or capillaries) that have developed abnormally. These lesions (abnormal areas of tissue on the body) are classified as hemangiomas, vascular malformations and rare vascular tumors.

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Hemangiomas, the most common type of birthmark or benign tumor of the skin, are either present at birth or appear shortly after birth and grow rapidly. Most develop on the skin in the head or neck area. 

Hemangiomas are sometimes not visible at birth or appear as faint red marks. However, within a few weeks, they start to grow rapidly. Over time, some hemangiomas lighten and become smaller (involute).

Hemangiomas we treat include:

• Infantile hemangioma
• Non-involuting congenital hemangioma (NICH)
• Rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma (RICH)

Rare vascular tumors, which can form in the skin, bones, liver, lung and extremities, are usually benign.

In some cases they are treated with surgery and in others they are responsive to medications. Fortunately, malignant (cancerous) vascular tumors that can spread to other parts of the body are rare in childhood.  

Vascular tumors we treat include:

• Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma (KHE)
• Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon

Vascular malformations are visible at birth and grow slowly in proportion to the child’s growth. They do not involute (shrink and lighten in color) and may become more noticeable over time. 

Lymphatic, venous and arteriovenous malformations are named according to the type of blood vessel that is primarily affected. These birthmarks are often present at birth, although sometimes they are not apparent until later in life. They tend to grow with the child, although injuries and infections can make them temporarily swell.

Less common vascular malformations, arteriovenous malformations, refer to the formation of channels between arteries and veins that can result in “fast-flow” lesions. Sometimes these can appear together with overlying vascular birthmarks.

Vascular malformations we treat include:

• Arteriovenous Malformation
• Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome
• Capillary Malformation Arteriovenous Malformation Syndrome
• Capillary Malformations
• Glomuvenous Malformation
• Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon
• Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome
• LUMBAR Syndrome
• Lymphatic Malformation
• Mixed Vascular Anomalies
• PHACE Syndrome
• Proteus Syndrome
• Sturge Weber Syndrome
• Venous Malformation