16Sep/090
Port-wine Stains
A permanent purple-red birthmark that is present at birth and is usually found on the face. The birthmarks are usually sharply outlined and flat, although the surface may sometimes have a pebbly feel. They can range in size from a few millimeters to half the body’s surface. They increase in size proportionately as the child grows, becoming darker over time. Port-wine stains may appear alone or as part of a multi-system disorder such as STURGE-WEBER SYNDROME, which also features seizures and eye abnormalities.
Causes of Port-wine Stains
Recent research suggests that the blood vessels in port-wine stains have an abnormal nerve supply, which may account for their enlargement over time.