There is a need for a non-systemic, topical IH treatment with proven efficacy and safety
Infantile Hemangioma
Approximately 170,000 infants in the US are born with infantile hemangiomas (IH) each year. 1,2 Low birth weight, such as with premature infants, is the most significant risk factor for developing IH.3 IH is a type of benign vascular tumor characterized by abnormal growth of blood vessels. 4 IH are absent or barely evident at birth but grow quickly in the first few weeks to months of life, followed by slow involution (the IH shrinks and folds in upon itself) that can take several months to years.
IH become evident in the first few weeks to months of life.
If untreated, IH can grow quickly, resulting in ulceration and permanent scarring.
Superficial / Deep / Mixed
Classification of IH
IH may be classified on the basis of their depth, as shown in the figure.4 Superficial IH are visible only at the skin surface, deep IH have no surface involvement, and mixed IH have both superficial and deep components.
Sequelae
Although IH undergo involution, they frequently result in permanent scarring. A large study found an incidence of significant to severe permanent sequelae (residual effects) in 55% of IH patients.5
Photographs courtesy of Dr Eulalia Baselga
IH before and after involution
Photographs courtesy of Dr Eulalia Baselga
References:
1. Munden A, Butschek R, Tom W, et al. Prospective study of infantile haemangiomas: incidence, clinical characteristics, and association with placental anomalies. British Journal of Dermatology 2014;170:907-913.
2. U.S. Census Bureau National Demographic Analysis Tables 2020
3. Drolet B, Swanson E, Frieden I, et al. Infantile hemangiomas: An emerging health issue linked to an increased rate of low birth weight infants. The Journal of Pediatrics 2008;153:712-715.
4. Darrow D, Greene A, Mancini A, et al. Diagnosis and management of infantile hemangioma. Pediatrics 2015;136:e1060.
5. Baselga E, Roe E, Coulie J, et al. Risk factors for degree and type of sequelae after involution of untreated hemangiomas of infancy. JAMA Dermatology 2016;152:1239-1243.