What is the Difference Between Congenital and Infantile Hemangiomas?

Congenital and infantile hemangiomas are both benign vascular tumors that occur in infants, but they have distinct differences in their development and growth patterns.

Congenital hemangiomas are:

• Fully formed at birth and can be detected on prenatal ultrasound.
• Do not grow after birth; they either stay the same size, shrink completely, or partially shrink.
• Can be classified into two types: rapidly involuting congenital hemangiomas (RICH) and non-involuting congenital hemangiomas (NICH).
• Usually found in the head and neck area or limbs, but may also occur internally.

Infantile hemangiomas, on the other hand, are:

• Detectable at birth as a subtle "precursor" lesion, with proliferation occurring over early infancy.
• Predominantly involute without significant residua, meaning they do not require treatment in most cases.
• Located most often on the trunk, but can also be found in the head and neck area.

In summary, congenital hemangiomas are fully developed at birth and do not grow afterward, while infantile hemangiomas grow after birth and can be detected at birth as a precursor lesion. The location of these lesions may also differ, with congenital hemangiomas typically found in the head and neck area or limbs, and infantile hemangiomas more commonly located on the trunk.

Comparative Table: Congenital vs Infantile Hemangiomas

The main differences between congenital and infantile hemangiomas are presented in the following table:

Congenital hemangiomas are present at birth and may not have a well-defined growth phase, while infantile hemangiomas appear within the first 8 weeks of life and exhibit a rapid proliferative phase during early childhood. Congenital hemangiomas are more likely to be found in the lower body, whereas infantile hemangiomas are more common on the head and neck. In terms of treatment, most cases of congenital hemangiomas do not require active intervention, while infantile hemangiomas often need medical intervention, such as propranolol.