Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis

Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis (DNH) was fi rst described by Lister in 1938.1 Typically it appears during the fi rst 2 months of life. Lesions occur with greater frequency in premature children and females (4:1 ratio with respect to males).2,3 These lesions develop during the fi rst trimester of pregnancy between 6 and 10 weeks of gestation. Masses of rapidly dividing endothelial cells with or without lumen and a multilaminated basement membrane are formed. During the involution phase, the lumen dilates, the endothelial cells thin and fi brous tissue is deposited. Those that involute completely contain few capillaries and veins with a fl attened endothelium in a stroma of fi brous tissue, collagen and reticular fi bers. Immunohistochemical studies show expression of CD31, von Willebrand factor and other proteins, which indicates a proliferative vascular origin. Vascular lesions were systematically classifi ed by Mulliken and Glowacki in 1982.4 Since that time, few modiDiffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis