Keywords
Early diagnosis
Diagnosis
Therapeutics
How to Cite
Abstract
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common benign vascular tumor of childhood. Although most cases follow a self-limiting course, some may be associated with functional, cosmetic, or systemic complications that require timely therapeutic intervention. In recent years, the management of IH has undergone substantial changes with the consolidation of beta-blockers as first-line treatment and the development of tools that facilitate risk stratification and early referral. The objective of this paper is to provide a practical update on the diagnosis, initial evaluation, and treatment of IH, with an emphasis on the early identification of high-risk lesions and clinical decision-making. A narrative literature review was conducted, including clinical practice guidelines, expert consensus statements, systematic reviews, and relevant original studies. The diagnosis of IH is primarily clinical. Risk stratification—based on location, size, distribution pattern, evolutionary phase, and the presence of complications—determines the need for treatment and the urgency of specialist referral. Tools such as the Infantile Hemangioma Referral Score help standardize this process in primary care settings. Early detection, appropriate risk stratification, and timely referral to a dermatologist are essential to optimizing therapeutic outcomes and preventing complications.
References
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