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Objective: To prospectively evaluate a cohort of patients with infantile hemangioma in the midline lumbosacral region for spinal anomalies to determine the positive predictive value of infantile hemangioma for occult spinal anomalies and to make evidence-based recommendations for screening. Study design: A multicenter prospective cohort study was performed at 9 Hemangioma Investigator Group sites. Results: Intraspinal abnormalities were detected in 21 of 41 study participants with a lumbosacral infantile hemangioma who underwent a magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. The relative risk for all patients with lumbosacral infantile hemangiomas for spinal anomalies was 640 (95% confidence interval [CI], 404-954), and the positive predictive value of infantile hemangioma for spinal dysraphism was 51.2%. Ulceration of the hemangioma was associated with a higher risk of having spinal anomalies. The presence of additional cutaneous anomalies also was associated with a higher likelihood of finding spinal anomalies; however, 35% of the infants with isolated lumbosacral infantile hemangiomas had spinal anomalies, with a relative risk of 438 (95% CI, 188-846). The sensitivity for ultrasound scanning to detect spinal anomalies in this high-risk group was poor at 50% (95% CI, 18.7%-81.3%), with a specificity rate of 77.8% (95% CI, 40%-97.2%). Conclusions: Infants and children with midline lumbosacral infantile hemangiomas are at increased risk for spinal anomalies. Screening magnetic resonance imaging is recommended for children with these lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a low-grade dermal and subcutaneous spindle cell neoplasm that most commonly occurs in the extremities and trunk of adults. It is rare in children and infants, and only few cases are reported as congenital. A 2-year-old girl presented with a rapidly enlarging left breast mass. The histology of the excised mass revealed a moderately cellular spindle cell tumor with large hypercellular fibrosarcoma-like areas, few myxoid areas, and other areas with multinucleated giant cells. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were focally positive for CD34 and were negative in the fibrosarcomatous areas. The diagnosis of DFSP was confirmed by demonstrating an unbalanced translocation der(22)t(17;22)(q21.3;q13.1) by conventional cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses. Positive immunoreactivity with PDGFR-β antibody indicated constitutional activation of PDGF receptor and provided an alternate indirect method of confirming the presence of dysregulated PDGF gene involved in this translocation. Although DFSP has been described in the adult female breast, this is the first such case in the breast of a 2-year-old girl. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous/dermal spindle cell tumors in children regardless of the site. CD 34 immunostaining should not be relied on, as it may be negative in fibrosarcomatous areas. Confirmation of the diagnosis in unusual sites requires identification of the characteristic t(17;22) chromosomal translocation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To identify clinical features of infants with ulcerated infantile hemangiomas. Study design: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted within a prospective cohort study of children with infantile hemangiomas. Children younger than 12 years of age were recruited. Demographic and prenatal/perinatal information was collected. Hemangioma size, location, subtype, course, complications, and treatments were recorded. Results: One thousand ninety-six patients were enrolled, and 173 (15.8%) patients experienced ulceration. Ulceration occurred in 192 (9.8%) of 1096 total hemangiomas. Hemangiomas with ulcerations were more likely large, mixed clinical type, segmental morphologic type, and located on the lower lip, neck, or anogenital region. Ulceration occurred at a median age of 4 months, most often during the proliferative phase. Children with ulcerated hemangiomas were more likely to present to a pediatric dermatologist at a younger age and to require treatment. Bleeding occurred in 41% of ulcerated lesions but was rarely of clinical significance. Infection occurred in 16%. Conclusions: Ulceration occurs in nearly 16% of patients with infantile hemangiomas, most often by 4 months of age, during the proliferative phase. Location, size, and clinical and morphologic type are associated with an increased risk for development of ulceration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: We sought to measure the type, content, and quality of World Wide Web sites retrieved when conducting an Internet search for infantile hemangiomas. Methods: Fifty World Wide Web sites from a Google search for “hemangioma” were examined. Relevant sites were characterized, and content was evaluated by 8 pediatric dermatologists. Results: The most accurate subjects were the description of risk factors and natural history, whereas the least accurate areas were photographic representation of the disease and presentation of treatment options. Four sites were considered accurate, and the majority of raters would recommend these sites to parents. Limitations: Internet sites and search results change. Conclusions: An Internet search for information about infantile hemangiomas yields few sites that accurately depict the full disease spectrum from innocuous to severe. Online educational resources containing a broader overview of the real disease spectrum of infantile hemangiomas are needed. Such sites should include large numbers of photographs, evidence-based content, and resources for parental support. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To characterize demographic, prenatal, and perinatal features of patients with infantile hemangiomas and to determine the importance of these factors in predicting rates of complication and treatment. Study design: We conducted a prospective study at 7 U.S. pediatric dermatology clinics. A consecutive sample of 1058 children, aged 12 years and younger, with infantile hemangiomas was enrolled between September 2002 and October 2003. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect demographic, prenatal, perinatal, and hemangioma-specific data. National Vital Statistic System Data (NVSS) was used to compare demographic variables and relevant rates of prenatal events. Results: In comparison with the 2002 United States National Vital Statistics System birth data, we found that infants with hemangiomas were more likely to be female, white non-Hispanic, premature (P < .0001) and the product of a multiple gestation (10.6% versus 3.1%; P < .001). Maternal age was significantly higher (P < .0001), and placenta previa (3.1%) and pre-eclampsia (11.8%) were more common. Conclusions: Infants with hemangiomas are more likely to be female, white non-Hispanic, premature, and products of multiple gestations. Prenatal associations include older maternal age, placenta previa, and pre-eclampsia. No demographic, prenatal, and perinatal factors predicted higher rates of complications or need for treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are common tumors for which there is no validated disease-specific instrument to measure the quality of life in infants and their parents/caregivers during the critical first months of life. This study prospectively developed and validated a quality-of-life instrument for patients with IH and their parents/caregivers and correlated demographic and clinical features to the effects on the quality of life. A total of 220 parents/caregivers completed the 35-item Infantile Hemangioma Quality-of-Life (IH-QoL) instrument and provided demographic information. The dimensionality of the items was evaluated using factor analysis, with results suggesting four factors: child physical symptoms, child social interactions, parent emotional functioning, and parent psychosocial functioning. Each factor fit the Rasch measurement model with acceptable fit index (mean square <1.4) and demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with alpha ranging from 0.76 to 0.88. The final instrument consists of four scales with a total of 29 items. Content validity was verified by analyzing parents' responses to an open-ended question. Test-retest reliability at a 48-hour interval was supported by a total IH-QoL intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.84. Certain clinical characteristics of hemangioma, including those located on the head and neck, in the proliferative stage, and requiring treatment, are associated with a greater impact on QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]