Treatment Options For A Port-Wine Stain

A port-wine stain is a birthmark that develops due to swollen blood vessels. The prevalence of port-wine stains is approximately one in every three hundred births. While they can occur anywhere on the body, the stains typically form on the neck, scalp, face, arms, and legs, and they grow in proportion to the child's growth. Port-wine stains start as light pink, and they tend to darken as the child gets older. Initially smooth in texture, they may become thicker once the child is an adult. Port-wine stains are not preventable, and they are not caused by anything that occurred while the baby was in the womb. Like other birthmarks, port-wine stains can usually be diagnosed with a visual inspection. A child who has a port-wine stain on the forehead or near the eye will need to be closely monitored. In rare cases, a port-wine stain could be associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a condition that may cause seizures and developmental delays. Due to an increased risk of glaucoma (elevated eye pressure), doctors generally recommend treatment for port-wine stains located near the eyelids. Patients may also choose to have treatment for cosmetic reasons.