Laser treatment for childhood birthmarks queried:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Early laser treatment of uncomplicated childhood haemangiomas (strawberry birthmarks) is no more beneficial than avoiding intervention completely, according to a UK study published in The Lancet (Aug 17). In a randomised, controlled 121-patient trial, Dr Kapila Batta, of the Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust, UK, found that at a one year follow-up 42% of pulsed dye laser-treated lesions showed complete or minimal residual signs, compared with 44% of children in the observation group. Furthermore, laser-treated lesions were at an increased risk of skin thinning, Dr Batta reported.