Growth/Color Changes

[Teagan]

After really reading the site a bit earlier, I was eager to get home and look at photos to see if I could see any real changes in Teagan's alleged hemangioma. What surprised me was that there was very little change as far as shape and size, but the COLOR changes have been dramatic.

We hadn't really noticed, seeing her every day, but when you look at photos from her date of birth and compare them to photos today, there's an incredible change.

So my question is this. I've read a lot about how hemangiomas go through the proliferation phase, rapidly growing in size, but could it still be a hemangioma if it isn't physically changing, aside from color??

Photos are attached for your thoughts and opinions. The first is Teagan at 4 days old, and the second is today, at 6 weeks old. (I know it looks like there is no birthmark in the first shot, but it is there, it's just very light and pink.)

Thanks!

http://img370.imageshack.us/my.php?i...0205742ds3.jpg

http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?i...1895033jt7.jpg

[missy]

Yes, it can still be a hemangioma, even if it isn't physically growing.

Not all hemangiomas grow rapidly (and what is rapid to the hare and what is rapid to the tortoise might be two different things). Some don't grow at all. Some grow alarmingly quickly. They are all different.

Color, however, is another matter. Because vascular birthmarks are, well, vascular, they can change color from minute to minute. The baby is hungry, cries, and the birthmark turns bright red! The baby is calm, sleeping, and the birthmark is pink again. The baby falls down, screams, the birthmark turns purple.

I sense that you mean the overall color has changed, though, and yes, that also does happen.

Other parents will chime in soon!

Take care,

Missy

[Teagan]

Thanks, Missy. You are correct...I meant overall tone changes. In looking back at photos, it really hasn't grown or spread all that noticeably, it's just changed in color significantly. It was quite surprising, because we hadn't really noticed it, seeing her every day, ya know?