Venous Malformation

Condition

Venous Malformation

Pediatricians at Children's Wisconsin treat children with venous malformations, which occur when a child's veins are thinner and more open (dilated) than normal.
    Veins are blood vessels that carry low-pressure blood from the tissues back to the heart. A venous malformation occurs when veins in a part of the body are formed abnormally before birth. The malformed veins are usually missing muscle in their walls, causing them to gradually expand or enlarge and form masses or areas of swelling. When the major veins are affected, their valves may not function, causing venous insufficiency. When the skin is involved, it appears blue to deep blue/purple. Because of slow blood flow, blood clots can form in the venous malformation. The clots may be painful, and can lead to further swelling. These blood clots do not usually travel to other parts of the body.