Management of Obstructive Airway Hemangiomans in the Neonate

Hemangiomas are benign neoplasms of vascular endothelium. They represent the most common pediatric tumor and are seen in 8-12% of Caucasian children by age 11. Hemangiomas have a female predilection, occur with greater incidence in premature infants, and demonstrate a characteristic and distinctive clinical course marked by rapid growth during the first year of life, followed by slower period of regression. Statistically, more than 90% of the lesions will have involuted by age 10.While the vast majority of hemangiomas are asymptomatic, in some cases they can be life-threatning and require emergency treatment. Indications to treat include obstruction of the visual, respiratory or genitourinary tracts, high output cardiac failure,perichondrial involvement,ulceration, and bleeding. Treatment modalities include intralesional and systemic corticosteroids, interferon-alpha, surgery and laser ablation^2,3.