A mom from Australia got bashed by trolls online for removing a port-wine stain birthmark from her baby's face. The mom clarified that she did it for the health of her child.
In January, Brooke Atkins, 33, had her second child, Kingsley. She immediately noticed that half of his face was covered with the birthmark.While port-wine stains may appear harmless, they can be linked to glaucoma and Sturge-Weber syndrome.
The Sturge-Weber syndrome causes seizures, while glaucoma causes blindness. Since the toddler was diagnosed with both conditions, the parents decided to get the birthmark lasered at the end of May.
@brookecynBefore you comment nasty things - its not just a birthmark,its a portwine stain, the goal isnt to completley remove it, its to keep the skin healthy.Please research PWS before leaving uneducated, negative comments ♬ original sound - larissalambert
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Controversial removal of port-wine stain birthmark
The mom said that when Kingsley was born, they were referred to the dermatology and vascular department of the Queensland Children's Hospital, where the medical team organized Kingsley's first treatment. They explained to her why they needed to remove the birthmark, New York Post reports.
Atkins explained that the purpose of the laser treatment was not to remove the birthmark but to keep the skin healthy and prevent further damage to the facial area. Although the laser treatment was in the baby's best interest and was recommended by the doctors, the mom of two got slammed online for her baby's surgery decision.
Critics quickly called her a monster for giving her baby laser surgery. Another said she was a "brainwashed mother" who made her son insecure after he got out of the womb.
While the mom admitted that the comments made her cry and question her decision with their cruel words playing in her head, she felt overwhelmed with more than 32,700 people following little Kingsley's journey on social media. There were also plenty of positive comments on the video.
Port-wine stain birthmark
The mom took the opportunity to educate people about the port-wine stain. According to Mayoclinic, the port-wine stain is a permanent birthmark. It starts as pinkish or reddish and turns darker as the child ages. It usually appears on the face but also affects other areas of the body. Over time, the affected area may thicken slightly and develop into an irregular, pebbled surface in adulthood.
Port-wine stains are often associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) or Sturge-Weber syndrome, conditions that require regular medical evaluation.
Klippel-Trenaunay is a rare congenital disorder involving problems in the development of certain blood vessels, soft tissues, bones, and sometimes the lymphatic system. It is most often associated with port-wine stains, overgrowth of tissues and bone, and vein or lymphatic system malformation. People with KTS often have complications involving port-wine stains. The mark may thicken over time to form blisters (blebs) which are prone to bleeding and complications. It can also lead to skin ulcers and poor wound healing. To manage port-wine stains, doctors usually recommend laser therapy.
Meanwhile, Atkins said that Kingsley is thriving and is responding well to treatments after his initial laser therapy treatments. He is due for another round of laser appointments in August.
