Pediatric Surgery

Our experts have extensive experience treating children for a wide range of vascular anomalies.

The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Vascular Anomalies and Birthmarks Program offers state-of-the-art, individualized care for patients with cutaneous birthmarks, vascular malformations, blood vessel tumors, and complex overgrowth syndromes.

Vascular anomalies are abnormalities of blood and lymphatic vessels that are present at birth or develop shortly after. They vary greatly in size, color, location on the body, and associated symptoms.

Some are easily visible on your child, while others occur internally. Vascular anomalies can appear at birth, during the first year of life, or when a child is much older.

We are the only health system on Florida’s west coast with an on-site multidisciplinary team of experts in vascular anomalies. Our team of physicians, nurses, and therapists has extensive training and expertise in the diagnosis and management of more than 50 types of vascular anomalies. We meet weekly to discuss cases, review imaging studies and examine patients. 

The Johns Hopkins All Children’s vascular team includes:

• Plastic surgery
• Interventional radiology
• Hematology-oncology
• General surgery
• Genetics
• Orthopaedic surgery
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Pathology
• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Occupational and physical therapy
• Endocrinology
• Clinical psychology

Together we make sure that your child is diagnosed correctly and has access to all the medical and surgical treatment options he or she might need. Our multidisciplinary approach means that every effort is made to ensure your child sees all necessary specialists during a single visit to our facility. We then provide you with an individualized plan of care to address your child’s vascular anomaly.

The Vascular Anomalies and Birthmarks Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s provides:

• A highly trained team of pediatric vascular specialists
• An optimal treatment plan individualized for your child and family
• Expertise in diagnostic imaging technology, pathologic evaluation, and genetic analysis
• State-of-the-art medical, endovascular and surgical treatment options
• A weekly conference to review referrals and discuss challenging cases
• A weekly multidisciplinary vascular anomalies clinic
• Access to research studies

Conditions and treatments

Vascular anomalies fall into two broad categories: vascular tumors and vascular malformations.

Vascular tumors are abnormal growths of blood vessel tissue that may occur anywhere in the body. Most are benign and may resolve on their own. Some may be more aggressive and require complex care.

Vascular malformations occur when blood vessels don’t form correctly in a region of the body. Vascular malformations can involve all types of blood cells, including arteries, veins, capillaries and lymphatic channels, or a combination of these.

For more information on the different types of vascular anomalies, please see the Conditions We Treat page.

Treatment depends on your child’s individual condition. Treatments we offer include:

• Embolization
• Laser treatments
• Medications
• Sclerotherapy
• Surgery

Referral Information

We accept referrals from your child’s physician or self-referrals.

Before your appointment

Before the first appointment, our clinical nurse coordinator will review your child’s case to help match your child with the right specialists. We may need medical records including hard copies of your child’s imaging studies, radiology reports, pathology specimens, photographs of the affected area, and lab tests. Medical records may be mailed to:

Vascular Anomalies and Birthmarks Program
Department of Surgery
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
601 Fifth Street South, OCC C360
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Records may also be faxed to: 727-767-4346.

Please be sure to contact your insurance company to verify your benefits and referral requirements.

Arriving at your appointment

When you arrive at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, enter the Outpatient Care Center (OCC) from the second floor of the parking garage. Take the elevator to the Third floor and walk behind the elevators into the clinic waiting room. Check in for your appointment at the General Surgery/Plastic Surgery window.