We really love getting updates and photos of all the children we’ve helped at the Little Baby Face Foundation, and we hope you love reading their updates as much as we do! Today, we’re sharing Maria’s incredible journey with you.
We really love getting updates and photos of all the children we’ve helped at the Little Baby Face Foundation, and we hope you love reading their updates as much as we do! Today, we’re sharing Maria’s incredible journey with you.
Maria was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia with a hemangioma, or as her pediatrician called it, an angel’s kiss, on her upper lip. Hemagiomas are quite common and usually nothing to worry about, but in Maria’s case, it only got worse. On her second day, the hemangioma became more red. By the fifth day, it evolved into an ulceration, eroding the center of her upper lip. It was easy to mistake this as a cleft lip from the early photographs.
Ulceration of hemangiomas occurs in up to 5% or 10% of all infants with lesions. They are quite painful and place the infant at risk for secondary bacterial infection. The pain is often severe enough to prevent an infant from sitting and being held. It’s also very difficult to repair. Maria was not able to be breastfed, and her parents fed her with a syringe avoiding touching her lip.
Her parents went from doctor to doctor without finding a treatment or solution for the bleeding and the ulceration. Despite being able to diagnose Maria’s ulcerated hemangioma, doctors didn’t know how to treat it. Maria was given many different medicines and a laser treatment, all of which failed.
Maria’s parents found the Little Baby Face Foundation thanks to Dr. Linda Rozell of the Vascular Birthmark Foundation and applied immediately for treatment. Maria was 1 year and 5 months old when she flew to New York City for her surgery. She was so strong and brave. Just after waking up from her surgery, she wanted to eat. A couple hours later, she was playing with her grandmother. It was a really joyous time for her entire family.
Maria is now a happy, healthy 5-year-old attending Pre-K. Her surgery has allowed her to live life like any other 5 year old, free of all the symptoms she struggled with as a baby and bursting with self-confidence. Although she does not remember New York City or any of our team of medical professionals, Maria always says that she would love to visit the city and meet the people who helped her. We hope one day she will!
WARNING
Her parents went from doctor to doctor without finding a treatment or solution for the bleeding and the ulceration. Despite being able to diagnose Maria’s ulcerated hemangioma, doctors didn’t know how to treat it. Maria was given many different medicines and a laser treatment, all of which failed.
Maria’s parents found the Little Baby Face Foundation thanks to Dr. Linda Rozell of the Vascular Birthmark Foundation and applied immediately for treatment. Maria was 1 year and 5 months old when she flew to New York City for her surgery. She was so strong and brave. Just after waking up from her surgery, she wanted to eat. A couple hours later, she was playing with her grandmother. It was a really joyous time for her entire family.
Maria is now a happy, healthy 5-year-old attending Pre-K. Her surgery has allowed her to live life like any other 5 year old, free of all the symptoms she struggled with as a baby and bursting with self-confidence. Although she does not remember New York City or any of our team of medical professionals, Maria always says that she would love to visit the city and meet the people who helped her. We hope one day she will!
WARNING
This gallery contains graphic images that some viewers sensitive to surgery & blood may find disturbing.
Maria was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia with a hemangioma, or as her pediatrician called it, an angel’s kiss, on her upper lip. Hemagiomas are quite common and usually nothing to worry about, but in Maria’s case, it only got worse. On her second day, the hemangioma became more red. By the fifth day, it evolved into an ulceration, eroding the center of her upper lip. It was easy to mistake this as a cleft lip from the early photographs.
Ulceration of hemangiomas occurs in up to 5% or 10% of all infants with lesions. They are quite painful and place the infant at risk for secondary bacterial infection. The pain is often severe enough to prevent an infant from sitting and being held. It’s also very difficult to repair. Maria was not able to be breastfed, and her parents fed her with a syringe avoiding touching her lip.
Her parents went from doctor to doctor without finding a treatment or solution for the bleeding and the ulceration. Despite being able to diagnose Maria’s ulcerated hemangioma, doctors didn’t know how to treat it. Maria was given many different medicines and a laser treatment, all of which failed.
Maria’s parents found the Little Baby Face Foundation thanks to Dr. Linda Rozell of the Vascular Birthmark Foundation and applied immediately for treatment. Maria was 1 year and 5 months old when she flew to New York City for her surgery. She was so strong and brave. Just after waking up from her surgery, she wanted to eat. A couple hours later, she was playing with her grandmother. It was a really joyous time for her entire family.
Maria is now a happy, healthy 5-year-old attending Pre-K. Her surgery has allowed her to live life like any other 5 year old, free of all the symptoms she struggled with as a baby and bursting with self-confidence. Although she does not remember New York City or any of our team of medical professionals, Maria always says that she would love to visit the city and meet the people who helped her. We hope one day she will!
WARNING
Her parents went from doctor to doctor without finding a treatment or solution for the bleeding and the ulceration. Despite being able to diagnose Maria’s ulcerated hemangioma, doctors didn’t know how to treat it. Maria was given many different medicines and a laser treatment, all of which failed.
Maria’s parents found the Little Baby Face Foundation thanks to Dr. Linda Rozell of the Vascular Birthmark Foundation and applied immediately for treatment. Maria was 1 year and 5 months old when she flew to New York City for her surgery. She was so strong and brave. Just after waking up from her surgery, she wanted to eat. A couple hours later, she was playing with her grandmother. It was a really joyous time for her entire family.
Maria is now a happy, healthy 5-year-old attending Pre-K. Her surgery has allowed her to live life like any other 5 year old, free of all the symptoms she struggled with as a baby and bursting with self-confidence. Although she does not remember New York City or any of our team of medical professionals, Maria always says that she would love to visit the city and meet the people who helped her. We hope one day she will!
WARNING
This gallery contains graphic images that some viewers sensitive to surgery & blood may find disturbing.
If your child was born with Ulcerated Hemangioma and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.
If your child was born with Ulcerated Hemangioma and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.