HHS clinic treats children with birthmark growths

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) says they want to raise awareness about a life-changing clinic for treating children with birthmark growths.

A Binbrook family tells CHCH News about their experience after their infant son had a balloon-size growth in his neck.

Tim Robinson says the cyst in his son Oliver’s neck is about the size of an almond today, but back in the summer of 2021, it was much larger following his birth.

“He was healthy, except he just had this big water balloon-type thing on the side of his neck,” Robinson said.

Robinson says in June 2021 his wife Jennifer gave birth to their son but 32 weeks into her pregnancy doctors at St. Joesph’s hospital evaluated the growth that was around 10 centimetres in diameter. He says out of concern, Jennifer was then transferred to McMaster Sick Kids hospital for a C-section.

Following little Ollie’s birth, HHS says the infant had a lymphatic vascular anomaly or what they call a birthmark, growths made up of blood vessels that grow incorrectly. They add the growth did not pose any danger but only restricted his neck movement.

HHS’ Dr. John Donnellan says if the fluid build-up goes untreated, infection is at risk. He says doctors are conducting a less invasive treatment called interventional radiology.

“The treatment consists of putting a little needle in the sac, sucking out the fluid, then injecting the antibiotic in the sac, which essentially causes the area to be sticky and prevents more fluid from forming back,” Dr. Donnellan said.

The head of pediatric interventional radiology says the anomaly is common, adding one in 10 children develop the growth. Dr. Donnellan says, “we can make a huge difference with such minimal invasive surgery or procedure that can be done in a day.”

Jennifer and Tim say once Oliver was born, he went through his first treatment the following month. Six weeks later they took him for another procedure where it was only half the original size.

Jennifer says, “we see there was light at the end of the tunnel and we hope our story helps.” Tim and Jennifer say doctors expect Oliver to outgrow the excess skin as he continues to grow.