Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common benign tumor in children, and its typical clinical manifestation is rapid proliferation within 1 year after birth and slow regression thereafter. According to the process of lesion development, hemangioma can be divided into 3 stages: proliferative stage, regressive stage and regressive completion stage. Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors in infants, with an incidence of up to 10% in children under 1 year of age and up to 30% in premature infants. The incidence of hemangiomas is usually more common in girls, about 3-5 times more common than in boys. What causes hemangiomas? Although there is a family history of hemangiomas in 10% of infants who develop them, it is not a genetic disease. There are no specific foods or medications that can cause hemangiomas, and there is also no association with maternal behavior during pregnancy. Current research suggests that there may be a link to a genetic mutation occurring in the fetus. When do hemangiomas appear? Hemangiomas are detected at birth in about 1/3 of affected children. Usually, the average time for hemangiomas to appear is when the infant is two weeks old, while deep hemangiomas may not be detected until 3 to 4 months of age. Adults rarely develop hemangiomas. Where do hemangiomas occur? About 60% of hemangiomas occur on the head and neck, about 25% on the trunk, and about 15% on the extremities. The vast majority (about 80%) of hemangiomas occur in a single site, and a few can occur in multiple sites. Although most hemangiomas occur on the surface of the body, a few can occur in the respiratory tract, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and even inside the brain. What does a hemangioma usually look like? The appearance of a hemangioma depends on many factors, including whether it is growing on the surface of the body or deeper, whether it is proliferating, stable, or fading, and whether it is discovered at birth or after birth. Hemangiomas that are on the surface of the skin are usually brighter reddish in color, and those that are underneath the skin appear to be a bruise or light blue color, and in some cases cannot be seen at all. This type of hemangioma is usually not detected until the infant is 2-4 months old…. Parents must be aware that each case is unique and specialized knowledge must be sought from a dermatology specialist. When should I consult a dermatologist for pediatric cutaneous hemangiomas? About 40% of cases of mild to moderate hemangiomas will leave permanent marks after regression is complete, including scarring, atrophy, drooping skin tissue, skin discoloration, and varying degrees of vascular dilatation. Some severe hemangiomas can be permanent, even affecting the infant’s breathing and vision and compressing adjacent vital organs. At the same time, the tumor can grow rapidly during the proliferation period, causing ulcers, hemorrhage, dysfunction related to the tumor site, and even life-threatening in severe cases. Therefore, it is recommended that parents should go to the hospital as soon as possible when they find their children with “red birthmark”. A hemangioma specialist will be able to give professional advice to the parents, and at the same time, will be able to judge the future development direction of the hemangioma during the follow-up visit. It is important to take your child to a doctor if the diagnosis is unclear, the hemangioma is large, fast-growing, occurs on the head or face, there are multiple hemangiomas, or if the hemangioma is complicated by other conditions. What are the complications and effects of hemangiomas? Complications of hemangioma are: 1, local complications: bleeding; infection; ulceration; necrosis. 2.Systemic complications: Kasabach-Merritt syndrome; compression of important organs and tissues (cervical and facial hemangioma); congestive heart failure and gastrointestinal bleeding. The most serious complications of hemangioma are: Kasabach-Merritt syndrome: manifested as large capillary hemangiomas accompanied by thrombocytopenic purpura in infants and young children, purpura is not purely due to thrombocytopenia, but is the result of consumptive coagulopathy, this syndrome in infants and young children with hemangiomas, although it only accounted for 1%, but the case fatality rate is as high as 50% Some of the affected children due to the deformities caused by facial hemangiomas and Some children can not enter kindergarten and school due to the deformity caused by facial hemangioma, and it is difficult for them to get along with other children normally. This negative impact is the most neglected aspect of hemangioma treatment. At the stage of formation of children’s personality traits, “waiting and watching” can bring serious psychosocial trauma to the affected children, and the personality traits formed will be difficult to change in the course of their growth. How to diagnose hemangioma Most of the hemangiomas can be diagnosed by physical examination and medical history. If necessary, color Doppler ultrasonography, CT or MRI may be performed, and in special cases, radiological intervention may be required to confirm the diagnosis. If malignancy is suspected, a biopsy may be required, which is an invasive procedure.