Strawberry Birthmark Research

Infantile Haemangioma (Strawberry Birthmark) 

If your child has been diagnosed with infantile haemangioma, commonly known as a strawberry birthmark, you’re not alone. Affecting up to 10% of infants, these benign vascular tumours often appear within the first few weeks of life. While they typically grow rapidly in early infancy and shrink over time (usually over 5–10 years), they can sometimes cause complications depending on their size and location. 

In some cases, infantile haemangiomas may interfere with vital functions such as breathing, vision, or feeding. Even after shrinking, they may leave behind fatty lumps or scarring, which can have a lasting impact. As a parent, it’s natural to feel concerned, but advances in research are bringing new options and hope to families like yours. 

Researching Infantile Haemangioma 

Traditionally, strawberry birthmarks were treated with harsh medications like high-dose steroids, interferon, or chemotherapy, as well as invasive procedures such as surgery or laser therapy—options that were costly, unpleasant, and often required years of treatment. Today, the standard approach involves careful monitoring, and when necessary, with oral beta blockers like propranolol is prescribed. While effective, these medications were originally developed for adult heart conditions and can pose risks and side effects for infants.  

This is why PhD students Raka Mitra and Imogen Skelton are investigating strawberry birthmarks.