Kalebs Hemangioma

On Monday we had another eye appointment for Kaleb it was just a check up and a very short Doctor visit, mainly to check the growth and size of his hemangioma. Since I haven't posted about that at all let me give you a little info on hemangiomas!

A hemangioma is a benign, and usually a self-involuting tumor, (swelling or growth) of the endothelial cells that line blood vessels and is characterised by increased number of normal or abnormal vessels filled with blood. It usually appears during the first weeks of life and generally resolves by age 10. Hemangiomas are also more common in twin pregnancies. Approximately 80% are located on the face and neck, with the next most prevalent location being the liver.  In more severe cases hemangiomas may leave residual tissue damage. In infancy, it is the most common tumor.
Hemangiomas go through three stages of development and decay:

1. In the proliferation stage, a hemangioma grows very quickly. This stage can last up to twelve months.
2. In the rest stage, there is very little change in a hemangioma's appearance. This usually lasts until the infant is one to two years old.
3. In the involution phase, a hemangioma finally begins to diminish in size. 50% of lesions will have disappeared by 5 years of age, and the vast majority will have gone by 10

 (Thanks Wikipedia)

I immediately knew what it was when my dear friend Jodi pointed it out. At first I thought he had scratched his eye but noticed it was slighltly raised. He was only about 2 weeks old when we first noticed. I had the Nurse Practitioner take a look at it at his 2 week appointment and they referred us to a pediatric ophthalmologist. The first available appointment wasn't until November in Belmont about 45 minutes away. Whatever we will take it because If this thing begins to grow rapidly I want to get it taken care of ASAP!

Both of my nieces were born with hemangiomas, Rayna's on her leg popped up and disappeared quickly and Dori's who's is located on her left eye like Kaleb's.The girls are now 5 and like I said Rayna's has completely disappeared, Dori's is still visible. She did have to wear an eye patch for a while as a baby but hasn't had to do anything since. Her hemagioma is not affecting her vision or anything at this stage its just a cosmetic thing. Over the years it has dispersed and lightened. Because I'm so use to it I hardly notice it anymore. Dori doesn't seem to be affected by it whatsoever either, she never really mentions it other than to say "Kaleb has a birthmark like me too!". In the beginning I was concerned for Dori with her being a girl and in school... Kids are mean!

Rayna on left and Dori on right (her hemangioma is on her left eye barely visible in this pic, I barely notice it anymore and who would shes too precious to notice it! )

Now hemangiomas are not hereditary but if you look at our family you would think they are! Three out of the six grandchildren have them!

Barely see anything just looks like a small red bump
(he was about 3 weeks here, I think)

Kalebs hemangiomas hasn't appeared to grow much and it is not affecting his vision which has been our main concern. We go back for a follow up in March!


Not the best pictures his hemangioma is in the inner eye looks like a red splotch