Posted by Rhonda on May 03, 1999 at 01:28:34:
In Reply to: Hemangiomas posted by Leslie (mother of Hailey Hannah-25 wkers) on May 02, 1999 at 17:00:43:
Hi Leslie,
I had b/g twins 6 months ago. They were born at 27 weeks/5 days. My daughter, Sarah has Hemangiomas. In fact, she has over 100 of them. They are the little red ones - each no larger than a pea - most the size of little dots as if she was poked with a red ball point pen. Most of them are raised. We live in Northern NJ so it was no problem for us to take her to a pediatric dermatoligist at NYU Medical Center. He told us that it was commonly found in preemies - especially females. And - (this is important) No one knows what causes them. I say that because they tried to tell me in the NICU that it was due to too much estrogen in the mother. Well, when I asked why her twin brother didn't have any they were dumbfounded. They were dumbfounded because they gave me incorrect information and that information made me fee awful until I learned the truth from the pediatric dermatologist.
Anyway, to answer your questions: They have a growth period, a dormant period and then a period of shrinkage until they disappear. Sometimes they leave behind a slight pink discoloration. It could take up to 7 years to disappear. It could take as little as 1-2 years to disappear.
Treatment is either to 1) Just leave them alone or 2) Inject them with steroids. This method has side effects, is expensive and only gets rid of the discoloration. It still leaves behind the raised mass.
Anyway - they are really nothing to worry about as you see you have already looked past them and see your beautiful daughter for who she is. Her true friends will do the same. As for the comments its just an annoyance of life. Try having twins - its worse! :-)
One thing we've done is called my daughter "Lady Bug". She has so many hemangiomas she resembles a Ladybug. So now when ever I see lady bug stuff (and I see it all the time now - especially in childrens' toys) I get it for her. She has a cute ladybug sundress that she is going to wear today.
Good Luck. I lurk often so if you can think of any more questions about hemangiomas ask away. I've been reading about them for months.
Rhonda = Mommy to Sarah and Ian born 11/7/98