PEDIATRICS Vol. 86 No. 1 July 1990, pp. 125-129
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Pediatric Dermatology Update

Daniel P. Krowchuk MD1, Walter W. Tunnessen Jr MD2, and Sidney Hurwitz MD3

1 From the Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
2 From the Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
3 From the Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut

The Society for Pediatric Dermatology conducted its 14th Annual Meeting in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, June 21 to 24, 1989, and the Section on Dermatology of the American Academy of Pediatrics met during the Academy's Annual Fall Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, October 13, 1989. Topics presented at these meetings that are of interest to pediatricians are presented in summary form below.

MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY

Advances in the Treatment of Hemangiomas

Hemangiomas occur in approximately 10% of infants and children. Although most of these lesions have a benign course, various complications may occur. Raised hemangiomas (capillary or cavernous forms) may obstruct the airway or visual fields, trap platelets, or be responsible for cardiac failure. Both raised and flat hemangiomas (port wine stains) may be of considerable cosmetic significance. Until recently, few options existed for the treatment of these vascular nevi. However, advances in the understanding of vascular proliferation offer the promise of new and more effective therapeutic modalities.

Judah Folkman, MD, Professor of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, and Anatomy of Harvard Medical School, reviewed the biochemical basis of angiogenesis and discussed the potential role of angiogenesis inhibitors in the treatment of hemangiomas. Although the mechanisms of initiation and proliferation of hemangiomas are not yet entirely understood, possible treatment appears to be relatively close at hand. A number of naturally occurring substances have been identified that possess the ability to halt capillary proliferation. The most potent of these are a group of cortisol metabolites termed angiogenic steroids, of which tetrahydrocortisol is a major example.

Submitted on January 16, 1990
Accepted on January 18, 1990