Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon in Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma: Red Flags in Neonatal Vascular Lesions

Abstract

Introduction: Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon (KMP) is a rare, life-threatening consumptive coagulopathy that occurs in a subset of vascular tumors, namely a benign locally aggressive vascular neoplasm known as kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) and less frequently in tufted angioma. KMP may occur in as many as 70% of pediatric patients with KHE,1 making it crucial to identify red flag findings in neonatal vascular lesions concerning for KHE. Case Description: A 4-month-old female presented to the emergency department for one-day duration of rapidly progressive swelling with violaceous discoloration of her left upper back. History revealed she had 2 discrete …