Infantile hemangiomas are benign growths of endothelial cells, the cells that make up blood vessels. They are fairly common, occurring in up to 10% of children according to some studies. Hemangiomas have a unique and characteristic pattern of rapid growth in early infancy followed by a process called involution during which the lesion regresses.

Most hemangiomas are innocuous and do not require treatment. In these cases, close observation by the physician is the best course. However, some hemangiomas require intervention because of potential or actual complications. There are many options for these hemangiomas, including corticosteroids, surgical excision, and laser ablation. A multidisciplinary approach to managing such hemangiomas provides patients comprehensive consulation for consideration of these therapies.

The sequence of images below document a patient's hemangioma involution without any interventions from infancy to seven years.

For more hemangioma involution images, see Pediatric Hemangioma Involution.