Stay in NICU and infantile haemangioma development

Background Infantile haemangiomas ( IH s) are more frequent in low birth weight babies, especially premature. Objective To compare the characteristics of infants with IH s who stayed in neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) vs. those with IH s who did not. Methods Prospective observational multicentric study. Consecutive infants consulting for IH s in two departments of paediatric dermatology were included and a questionnaire specifically designed was filled for each patient. To identify factors associated with hospitalization in NICU vs. no hospitalization in NICU , we conducted univariate logistic regression analyses. Results A total of 210 infants with 323 IH s were included (56 boys, 154 girls, F/M sex ratio 2.75/1); 27 stayed in NICU , whereas 183 did not. Limbs involvement and multiple IH s were more frequent in NICU infants. Similarly, infants who had stayed in NICU had an earlier onset of their IH . Multiple IH was more frequent in infants with a history of congenital onset of IH . Conclusion Infants staying in NICU and those with congenital lesion are at risk for specific type and involvement of their IH and should be early addressed to a dermatologist in case of suspicion of IH to provide them an early diagnosis and to start a treatment if necessary as soon as possible.