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Port-wine stain with Sturge-Weber risk — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardPaediatric and geneticsPort-wine stain with Sturge-Weber riskSCE Dermatology

A newborn has a unilateral capillary malformation involving the forehead and upper eyelid. The infant is neurologically well. Which referral plan is most appropriate?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Arrange early ophthalmology and paediatric neurocutaneous assessment despite absent symptoms

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as D · D = shown as E

C is correct. Forehead and upper-eyelid port-wine stains identify a distribution associated with Sturge–Weber brain involvement and glaucoma. Glaucoma and leptomeningeal disease may be present before obvious symptoms, so early ophthalmology and specialist paediatric assessment are required. Midline crossing is not the decisive criterion, and laser treatment of the cutaneous malformation does not evaluate or prevent ocular and neurological disease. Families need counselling about seizures, developmental concerns and visual symptoms while investigations and follow-up are individualized.

Reference: British Association of Dermatologists: port-wine stain: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/port-wine-stain