Hemangioma is the most common type of vascular malformation. It is a benign tumor that originates from residual embryonic angiogenic cells. Most of them are seen at birth or shortly after birth. 60% to 70% of hemangiomas may subside by the age of 8. Some hemangiomas cause psychological disorders and inconvenience in daily life due to persistent and rapid enlargement and spread, resulting in shape changes and functional disorders. 1.Is hemangioma common? Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor in infants, with an incidence of about 4-10%, and is usually more common in girls, about 3-5 times more often than in boys. It is more common in white than yellow and less common in black. The incidence of premature low birth weight (birth weight less than 1kg) is as high as 25%, while the incidence of twins is also relatively high. 2.What causes hemangioma? Although 10% of infants with hemangioma have a family history, it is not a genetic disease. There is no definite food or drug that can cause hemangioma, and there is no association with maternal behavior during pregnancy. Current research suggests that there may be a relationship with genetic mutations that occur during the transition from progenitor cells to endothelial cells within the fetus. 3.When do hemangiomas appear? About 1/3 of all hemangiomas in children can be detected at birth. The average time of appearance of hemangiomas is usually when the infant is two weeks old, and deeper hemangiomas may not be detected until 3 to 4 months of age. Adults rarely develop hemangiomas. 4.Where do hemangiomas tend to occur? About 60% of hemangiomas occur in the head and neck, about 25% in the trunk, and about 15% in the extremities. The vast majority (about 80%) of hemangiomas occur in a single location, but a few can occur in multiple locations. Although most hemangiomas occur on the surface of the body, a small percentage can occur in the liver, gastrointestinal tract, or even in the brain. 5.What is the appearance of hemangioma? The appearance of hemangioma depends on many factors, including whether it grows on the surface of the body or deep down, whether it is in the proliferative, stable or receding phase, and whether it is found at birth or after birth. At the same time, subcutaneous veins can be seen in a radial pattern along the tumor. As the hemangioma fades, its color slowly becomes lighter, usually fading by the time the child reaches 7 years of age. Hemangiomas under the skin are called deep hemangiomas and appear as a bruise or light blue color, some of which are not visible at all. This type of hemangioma is usually not detected until the baby is 2-4 months old. When parents see these pictures, they must know that each case is unique, and not all hemangiomas that look the same as their own child’s appearance will change the same later on; expertise must be sought from a doctor in hemangioma, which can lead to the best outcome for their child. 6.Is it possible to prevent the occurrence of hemangioma? There is no way that we know of to prevent it. Nothing the mother does before or during pregnancy has anything to do with the development of hemangioma. 7. When should I consult a hemangioma specialist? Although most hemangiomas are relatively small and can resolve without any treatment, it is important to consult a specialist who can give parents expert advice and determine the future direction of the hemangioma during follow-up visits. It is important to bring your child to a doctor if the diagnosis is unclear, if the hemangioma is large, if it is growing rapidly, or if the hemangioma is complicated by other symptoms. If a child has multiple hemangiomas, it is important to see a doctor because it is necessary to rule out the presence of hemangiomas in internal organs, including the liver and digestive tract. Because these areas are more dangerous if hemangiomas appear, they need to be treated. 8.What are the complications of hemangioma? Complications of hemangioma include ulcers (skin breakdown) leading to bleeding or infection, impairment of vital organ function, disfigurement, and, more rarely, heart failure. Ulceration usually occurs in 5-10% of hemangiomas, especially around the lips, anus or genitals. Local debridement and antibiotics are effective in treating the ulcers, and if bleeding is present, pressure can be applied to the wound to stop the bleeding. Ulcers usually heal within a few weeks and do not recur. However, some may leave scars. If a hemangioma affects breathing, hearing, vision or diet, you need to see a doctor right away. 9.How to diagnose hemangioma? Most hemangiomas can be diagnosed by physical examination and medical history. Sometimes they need to be differentiated from vascular malformations, including venous malformations and lymphovascular malformations, which are treated by different methods. If a mass cannot be diagnosed as a hemangioma or a vascular malformation, color Doppler ultrasonography can be performed to differentiate. CT or MRI can also be performed if necessary. If malignancy is suspected, a puncture biopsy, which is an invasive test, may be required. 10.How should hemangioma be treated? Most hemangiomas do not require treatment other than observation, as they resolve on their own, and most of them resolve completely, some may leave scars or slight changes in skin color. Some may leave scars or slight changes in skin color. If this occurs, we can treat it with laser or plastic surgery before the child goes to school. Hemangioma must be treated when: 1) rapid growth of hemangioma; 2) large hemangioma with bleeding, infection and ulceration; 3) hemangioma endangers the patient’s vital functions, such as affecting feeding, breathing, swallowing, hearing or vision, excretion or motor functions; 4) hemangioma with thrombocytopenia syndrome (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome); 5) hemangioma with high output heart failure; 6. Lesions invading important facial structures such as eyelids, nose, lips, human middle, earwalls, etc. Treatment methods include drug therapy, surgery or interventional therapy. Medications include propranolol, corticosteroids, vincristine, or interferon. Surgical removal can cause scarring. Other treatments include lasers and nucleoplasty. The overall treatment principle is to provide individualized, minimally invasive, and effective treatment for the child.