Burcu TUFAN TAS, Nursah EKER, Alican SARISALTIK, Rabia Emel SENAY, Seda Aras GURCAN, Birsen BAYSAL
Marmara Medical Journal - 2026;39(3):1-5
Objectives: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, lesion distribution, treatment approaches, complications, and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients with infantile hemangiomas (IHs) at a single tertiary center. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 182 pediatric patients with IHs managed at Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital between 2011 and 2023. Demographic features, lesion characteristics, treatment approaches, complications, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: The cohort comprised 182 children, of whom 59.9% were female. The median age at presentation was 7 months (range: 1-198 months). Prematurity and low birth weight were documented in 13.2% and 12.1% of patients, respectively. Most patients (72.7%) had a single lesion; the liver (14.2%) and scalp (12.0%) were the most frequent sites. Ulceration occurred in 5.5% of cases. Active treatment was required in 60.7% of patients, with propranolol being the most commonly used therapy (37.7% of the cohort). Treatment-related adverse events were limited to one episode of hypoglycemia; no cardiac toxicity was observed. Spontaneous regression predominated in small, superficial, and asymptomatic lesions. Conclusion: Infantile hemangiomas generally follow a benign clinical course, and observation is appropriate for low-risk lesions. High-risk or complicated lesions warrant active management, with propranolol remaining the standard systemic therapy. Multicenter prospective studies are needed to refine risk stratification and optimize individualized treatment.
