A vascular malformation is a cluster of blood vessels that grow in an abnormal manner before birth.  They are present at birth but often don't appear until later in life.  They affect boys and girls in equal numbers and tend to grow in size as the child grows.  They can appear anywhere on the body but are most often found on the head and neck.

What causes Vascular Malformations?

The cause of these birthmarks is not known.  We do know that they are not the result of the diet, the actions or the environment of either parent during the time of conception or pregnancy.  Many parents worry they did something to cause the birthmark.  We want to assure you that you are not to blame for your child's birthmark.

How are Vascular Malformations treated?

There are seven main types of vascular malformations and each is treated in a special way.

1. Midline Venular Malformations are flat, light pink lesions found on the upper eyelids, the forehead, the brow between the eyes and at the nape of the neck.  You made have heard them called "stork bites" or "angel's kisses".  They are harmless and often fade during the first year of life.

2. Venular Malformations are often called "port wine stains".  They affect 0.3% of all births. In this lesion, the size of the blood vessels close to the skin are larger than normal causing the skin to look purple or pink.  These birthmarks vary in size from person to person.  Some can thicken and darken faster than others.  Laser therapy can be used to treat them.  Laser therapy involves passing a strong beam of light through the skin, destroying the abnormal blood vessels without hurting the other structures in the skin.

3. Venous Malformations are birthmarks that occur when large veins in the body are involved.  The color of the birthmark depends on where the abnormal veins are found in the body.  Lesions close to the skin appear maroon-red while deeper lesions may appear blue.  Venous malformations can occur on the jaw, cheek, tongue or lips.  The type of treatment depends on the size, depth and location of the lesion.  Treatment may include laser therapy, surgery, or sclerotherapy in which a liquid is injected into the abnormal blood vessels to destroy them.  More than one type of treatment may be needed.

4. Lymphatic Malformations are birthmarks that involve the lymph glands.  Lymph glands collect extra fluid from the tissues in the body and transport it back into the blood stream.  When these birthmarks occur, the transfer of this extra fluid slows down.  The result is a swelling in the area of the birthmark.  Lymphatic malformations can be close to the surface or deeper in the body and they may be focused on one spot or spread out more widely.  The treatment may include both sclerotherapy and surgery.

5. Arteriovenous Malformations occur when there is a defect in the control of how much blood flows into an area.  This birthmark appears as a firm mass that can show a bluish color on the skin even before the mass is felt.  The treatment is surgery to remove the entire core of the lesion.

6. Mixed Malformations are when two or more of the vascular lesions described above occur in one birthmark.  The treatment depends on which blood vessels are involved.

7. Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome is a vascular malformation made up of parts of the capillary, venous and lymph systems.  It can involve one or more limbs.  Symptoms can be treated with laser surgery, sclerotherapy or compression stockings that fit tightly around the birthmark and help to push blood out of the lesion and transport it back into the blood stream.