Korean J Dermatol.  2021 Jun;59(5):332-340.

Analysis of the Maternal and Perinatal Risk Factors of Infantile Hemangioma in Patients in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

• Oh JH
• Kim BY
• Choi M

Abstract

Background
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is one of the most common tumors in infants. IH occurs more commonly in premature and low birth weight infants, but only a few studies have analyzed the risk factors for IH in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Korea.
Objective
We investigated the risk factors for IH in patients admitted to the NICU at a single institution.
Methods
A single-center retrospective case-control study was conducted in 37 patients with hemangioma and 185 matched-control babies who were admitted to the NICU between 2013 and 2020. Odds ratios (ORs) and multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between IH and the potential risk factors.
Results
Of the 1,206 neonates admitted to the NICU, 37 had IH, and the prevalence was 3.1%. IH was most commonly found on the trunk (33.3%), followed by the head and neck (29.4%). After adjustment, the risk factors found to be significantly associated with IH were female sex (OR=3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.4∼6.8), extreme preterm (OR=6.9, 95% CI=1.3∼38.0), very low birth weight (OR=11.9, 95% CI=2.9∼49.3), low 1-minute Apgar scores of ＜7 (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.1∼4.9), and multiple gestation (OR=5.0, 95% CI=1.7∼14.9).
Conclusion
This matched case–control study revealed that risk factors such as female sex, extremely preterm birth, very low birth weight, low 1-minute Apgar score, and multiple gestations may affect the occurrence of IH. Therefore, if these risk factors are present, they need to be actively managed at an early stage through close physical examination to prevent complications.

Keyword

Hemangioma; Neonatal intensive care units; Risk factors