Port wine stains Birthmark are congenital, progressive vascular malformations of the skin
that occur in approximately 0.7% of newborns. Approximately 1.5 million individuals in the
United States and 32 million people worldwide have Port wine stains birthmarks. Two-thirds of
these malformations occur on the face. Personality development of virtually all patients is
adversely affected as a result of the negative reaction of others to a "marked" person.
Detailed studies have documented lower self-esteem and difficulties with interpersonal
interactions in Port wine stains patients. Port wine stains are initially flat and red, but
with time, they tend to darken to purple and become thickened as vascular nodules develop.
This thickening occurs in approximately two-thirds of lesions and further disfigures the
facial features of many patients.
Phase:
Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of California, Irvine
Collaborator:
Beckman Laser Institute University of California Irvine