Chloe McKnight’s journey, as described by her mother, Ashley McKnight, began with a seemingly minor scrape on her forehead when she was born. Over time, this mark evolved and became more prominent, resembling a crimson stain on her forehead.
Before Chloe reached the age of two months, she received a diagnosis from the American Academy of Pediatrics. She had a noncancerous tumor known as a hemangioma, composed of additional blood vessels. Hemangiomas, often referred to as baby birthmarks, are the most common benign tumors in infants, occurring in approximately 5% of all births in the United States.
Despite the common expectation that hemangiomas resolve themselves, Chloe’s hemangioma continued to grow. Her mother, Ashley, who is also the mother of two other children, decided to extend her maternity leave out of concern for Chloe’s well-being. The hemangioma was a cluster of blood vessels that could potentially bleed if bumped, adding an extra layer of worry.
As Chloe’s tumor developed, the McKnight family touched and kissed it, treating it like any other part of Chloe, even though it often attracted curious looks from people when they were in public. The coronavirus pandemic allowed the family to maintain a more insular existence at home, providing some relief from the constant reminder of the hemangioma when they ventured out.
Seeking a surgeon who could remove the tumor while minimizing any damage to Chloe’s appearance as she grew older, the McKnights connected with Dr. Gregory Levitin, head of the vascular birthmarks and malformations program at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai in New York City, through a Facebook community for parents of children with hemangiomas.
The surgery presented a unique challenge for Dr. Levitin, as Chloe’s unusually large hemangioma on her forehead had no standard protocol for removal. The location on the forehead had limited extra tissue to work with, making preservation of facial muscles and minimizing scarring particularly important.
Chloe underwent a three-hour surgery in January, and Dr. Levitin was successful in not only removing the hemangioma but also ensuring her face retained its natural appearance. The recovery process has been surprisingly smooth, and despite the expected swelling on Chloe’s forehead, she is even more active than before surgery.
Dr. Levitin noted that children often experience a change in behavior and energy after hemangioma removal due to the condition’s demands on their body’s energy resources.
Chloe’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of children and the transformative power of modern medicine.