Epidemiology

Hemangiomas are common among vascular tumors, with an overall incidence of about 4% to 5%.[14][15] For newborns, the reported incidence is between 1.1% and 2.6%.[16] Infantile hemangioma occurs more commonly in females than in males, with estimates of female to male ratios ranging from 2:1 to 5:1 and up to 9:1 in PHACE syndrome.[2][14][16] Hemangioma occurs more frequently in white infants than in infants of other ethnic groups.[14] Prematurity and low birth weight also correlate with an increased risk of hemangioma. Low birth weight seems to be more significant than prematurity.[17] In a large multivariate analysis, low birth weight was shown to be the most significant associated risk factor for the development of infantile hemangioma.[17] Hemangioma occurs in 14% of infants of birth weight between 1000-1500 g, and 10% of infants weighing between 1500-2000 g develop hemangioma.[18]

Maternal demographic factors associated with an increased risk for infantile hemangioma include:[14][19]

  • Advanced maternal age

  • Multiple gestation

  • Preeclampsia

  • Maternal history of infertility

  • Infertility treatment

  • Chorionic villus sampling.

Many of these risk factors are related, and are not independent variables.

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