ABSTRACT

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of childhood. The known risk factors are female gender, prematurity, and low birth weight. In this study, it is planned to investigate prenatal and natal risk factors which may affect hemangioma development in addition to these factors. The study included 114 patients with congenital hemangioma and 100 healthy children as the control group. Age, sex, prenatal characteristics of two groups (use of drugs, diseases, hypo-hypertension and hyperemesis during pregnancy, parental smoking), natal features (type of birth, birth weight, gestation age), parents’ age, parents' diseases and medications used were questioned. The most frequent site of congenital hemangiomas was the head and neck region in our study. Female gender and being the first child increased the risk of developing congenital hemangioma. As an important information, hyperemesis during pregnancy increased the risk of congenital hemangioma 1.75 times. Postterm birth and birth weight over 4000 gram were protective against congenital hemangioma development. Apart from the known risk factors, drug use in pregnancy could be a risk factor for the development of congenital hemangioma. We recommend that future studies should be conducted in larger patient groups in order to consider different risk factors.