Vascular Malformations

When your child has a vascular malformation, nothing matters more than finding a team you can trust. At Atrium Health Levine Children’s, we’re home to top experts in pediatric hematology-oncology who offer advanced treatments and personalized care plans designed just for your child. Because every child deserves to feel their best.

About vascular malformations

Vascular malformations occur when blood vessels or lymphatic channels (a network of thin tubes that carry fluid and help the body fight infection) do not develop properly. These malformations are typically present at birth but may not be noticeable until later in life. They can vary in size and location and may affect the skin, tissues beneath the skin or internal organs.

What we treat

We treat the following types of vascular malformations:

• Infantile hemangiomas: Noncancerous growths made up of blood vessels that appear in babies shortly after birth. They often grow quickly in the first few months of life but usually shrink on their own over time.
• Congenital hemangiomas: Noncancerous blood vessel growths that are already fully formed when a baby is born. Unlike infantile hemangiomas, these do not develop after delivery.
• Veno-lymphatic malformations: Abnormal clusters of veins and lymphatic vessels that a child is born with. These can cause swelling, pain or other problems as a child grows.

Treatments for vascular malformations

Our team works together to create a personalized treatment plan for your child based on the type and severity of their vascular malformation.

Treatments may include:

• Medication: Depending on the type of vascular malformation, your child’s doctor may recommend one of the following:
  • Sirolimus or alpelisib: Oral medications that help manage your child’s conditions and slow the growth of the malformation.
  • Propranolol: An oral medication commonly used to treat infantile hemangiomas. Your child’s first doses will be given in our infusion center so our team can closely monitor them.
  • Timolol: A topical medication applied directly to the skin that may be used as an alternative when propranolol is not the right fit.
• Sclerotherapy or surgical removal: Our team works closely with interventional radiology and plastic surgery specialists to determine the best approach for your child. Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a solution is injected into the affected blood vessels to help shrink them. In some cases surgical removal may be recommended. 

Why choose Levine Children’s?

Here’s why families from across the region come to us for vascular malformation care:

• Customized care: We use a team approach to evaluate patients from every angle. This helps us understand your child’s vascular malformation and needs. We then create a personalized treatment plan to help them manage their condition.
• A comprehensive team: Your child’s care team includes board-certified pediatric hematology-oncology specialists, physician assistants, nurse navigators, social workers and pharmacists who all work together to ensure your child receives well-rounded care. Our specialists also meet regularly with plastic surgery and interventional radiology experts to review cases and ensure your child is receiving the best possible treatment.
• Convenient outpatient care: If your child begins taking propranolol, their first doses can be managed through our infusion center on an outpatient basis. This means your child does not need to be admitted to the hospital, and appointments can be scheduled quickly so your family spends less time waiting.