A psychological profile of children with hemangiomas and their families.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychosocial impact of hemangiomas and their treatment on children with the disease and their families.


METHODS
Thirty-nine children who were treated for hemangiomas were examined by a questionnaire that addressed the emotional attitudes of the parent and child toward the disease and the related treatment.


METHODS
Two private ambulatory surgery centers (in Latham and Charleston).


RESULTS
Overall, the survey found a negative effect on the child's family, with considerable fear caused in part by adverse public commentary or attitudes--which was ameliorated by education from the primary care provider and specialist. However, the family's perception was that the child was not deeply affected by his or her condition and that treatment (laser, intralesional corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, surgery, or a combination) did not change the child's emotional response to the disease. However, most parents observed that their child was too young to appreciate his or her malady.


CONCLUSIONS
Given earlier intervention for children with late-involuting hemangiomas and the advent of more effective therapies, our survey did not seem to indicate that the children experienced significant emotional trauma from their condition; nevertheless, their families experienced appreciable emotional and psychological distress.
Williams
Edwin F
EF
Division of Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA.
Hochman
Marcelo
M
Rodgers
Bret J
BJ
Brockbank
David
D
Shannon
Linda
L
Lam
Samuel M
SM
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires