I have a prayer request. Gabrielle has a birthmark on the top of her head. At first I just thought it was a normal birthmark but it a special one known as a Strawberry Hemangioma. Here is some information on it:
Hemangiomas are tufts of extra blood vessels that commonly occur in children.
Usually, they occur on the surface of the skin (strawberry hemangiomas). Those that are deeper in the skin are sometimes called cavernous hemangiomas. Some are mixed strawberry and cavernous hemangiomas.
Most children with hemangiomas have only one. Many have a few. Rarely, children may have many, both on the skin and in the internal organs. Some have enough extra vascular tissue to cause anemia or platelet problems.
Port wine stains and salmon patches are not hemangiomas.
Usually, they occur on the surface of the skin (strawberry hemangiomas). Those that are deeper in the skin are sometimes called cavernous hemangiomas. Some are mixed strawberry and cavernous hemangiomas.
Most children with hemangiomas have only one. Many have a few. Rarely, children may have many, both on the skin and in the internal organs. Some have enough extra vascular tissue to cause anemia or platelet problems.
Port wine stains and salmon patches are not hemangiomas.
Hemangiomas are found on at least one in 50 babies. They tend to run in families. Girls are more likely to have hemangiomas than boys. They are also more common in babies with lighter skin coloring. Premature babies are more likely to have hemangiomas than babies born at term.
Strawberry hemangiomas are bright red (or purple), soft, raised, squishy birthmarks with sharp borders. They often start as little red dots surrounded by a pale halo before they grow. They are most common on the head, chest, or upper back.
Most hemangiomas grow rapidly, doubling their size, and then plateau for a while before collapsing and disappearing. When the color becomes dull, or the center appears gray or pinkish-gray, the hemangioma may be entering the slow disappearing phase.
Strawberry hemangiomas are usually not present at birth. Most appear between 3 and 5 weeks, and then grow quickly during the first six months. By the first birthday, most have already peaked in size. Many are gone by age 2 or 3. Most are gone by school age. The great majority are gone without a trace before puberty.
Here are some pictures of what these birthmarks look like as they peak in size:
Please join us in prayer that God will heal this now and stop it from growing any larger. Thank you!
2 comments:
Oh Trin we'll be praying for Gabrielle!! I Love You
How's the hemangioma now? I ran across your blog as I was searching to find other parents of children with hemangiomas. My 11 month old baby girl has two hemangiomas on her torso. She has already has 2 laser treatments, one more to go, then surgery to remove it.
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