Although cutaneous hemangiomas are common benign tumors in neonates, they can be life-threatening when they are associated with thrombocytopenia, consumptive coagulopathy, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and rapid enlargement, a clinical presentation known as Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS). Untreated, KMS has a 10 to 37% mortality rate (Szlachetka, 1998).
With giant hemangiomas in small children, thrombocytopenia and red cell changes compatible with trauma ('microangiopathic hemolytic anemia') have been observed. The mechanism of the hematologic changes is obscure. No evidence of a simple genetic basis has been discovered.
Reviews
Szlachetka (1998) reviewed the approximately 205 reported cases of KMS and discussed the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and treatment modalities of the disorder. [from
OMIM]