Pediatric Vascular Anomalies: Advances and Challenges - Volume II

Pediatric vascular anomalies comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders arising from the abnormal development of blood or lymphatic vessels. Classified broadly as vascular tumors (e.g., infantile hemangioma, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma) or vascular malformations (venous, lymphatic, capillary, arteriovenous, and combined), they pose distinctive diagnostic and therapeutic challenges owing to their complex pathophysiology, diverse clinical presentations, and impact on growth and development. These lesions frequently cause functional impairment, disfigurement, and pain, and may lead to life-threatening complications such as hemorrhage, consumptive coagulopathy (e.g., the Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon), or airway compromise.

Effective management demands a multidisciplinary approach that integrates clinical genetics, interventional radiology, surgery, and pharmacotherapy. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics—particularly the identification of somatic mutations in PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum disorders—and the emergence of targeted therapies such as sirolimus and propranolol have transformed treatment paradigms. Nevertheless, important knowledge gaps persist in risk stratification, long-term outcome assessment, and the personalization of strategies to reduce recurrence and morbidity.

Goal

This Research Topic aims to synthesize cutting-edge research and innovative clinical approaches in pediatric vascular anomalies, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy, refining therapeutic efficacy, and enhancing quality of life. We seek to address critical challenges in classification, multidisciplinary coordination, and the management of complex cases through evidence-based advances. By bringing together contributions from experts worldwide, this collection intends to foster collaboration, help standardize best practices, and ultimately improve care pathways for affected children.

Scope and Themes

We welcome Original Research, Systematic Reviews, Reviews, Clinical Trial reports, Brief Research Reports, and Case Reports addressing—but not limited to—the following themes:

• Molecular pathogenesis and genetic diagnostics: novel genetic drivers (e.g., TEK, GNAQ, GNA11, PIK3CA, AKT1) and their implications for classification and targeted intervention.
• Interventional radiology innovations: efficacy and safety of emerging sclerotherapy, embolization, and laser techniques for complex malformations.
• Medical therapeutics and clinical trials: outcomes of mTOR inhibitors, beta-blockers, and novel agents (e.g., PI3K/AKT-pathway or ALK inhibitors) in refractory disease.
• Surgical reconstruction and functional outcomes: approaches to resection, debulking, and reconstruction that prioritize organ function and cosmesis.
• Multidisciplinary care and patient-reported outcomes (PROs): models for integrated care (hematology, radiology, surgery) and validated tools to measure psychosocial impact.

Submission Guidelines

Manuscripts should address current knowledge gaps, propose data-driven solutions, and discuss translational relevance. Submissions featuring biomarker validation, long-term outcome studies, or health-economic analyses are particularly encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: sclerotherapy, sirolimus, PIK3CA, embolization, vascular anomalies, infantile hemangioma, vascular malformation, Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon, propranolol, patient-reported outcomes, multidisciplinary care

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.