Amazing transformation after mum lasers port wine birthmark off baby’s face
A mother who was called a ‘monster’ for treating her five-month-old son’s port wine birthmark with laser therapy has revealed he has reached a major health milestone.
Brooke Atkins, from Gold Coast, shared a video of now 18-month-old Kingsley in June to celebrate him going an entire month without a seizure.
‘This is the longest he has gone seizure-free since September last year,’ Ms Atkins wrote.
‘We know it won’t last forever but will take the small wins as they come!’
Kingsley was born in January last year with a large port wine birthmark on half his face.
After learning the possibly detrimental effects of the stain, Ms Atkins said she and her partner, Kewene Wallace, made the difficult decision for their baby to undergo laser treatment.
Port wine birthmarks are usually considered harmless but if on the face – as in 65 per cent of cases – they can be linked glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome.
A glaucoma can cause vision problems and headaches while Sturge Weber Syndrome impairs brain function and can cause seizures.
Kingsley has been diagnosed with both.
The unique birthmarks are also known to change over time.
They can darken, create bumps or cause vascular blebs – abnormal blood vessels that can be dangerous if they bleed.
‘The only way to treat a port wine stain is through laser treatments and the most effective laser for a it is called a Pulsed Dye Laser,’ Ms Atkins explained last year.
‘When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department where they organised the first treatment and explain in further details why laser would be important.
‘The purpose of the laser treatments are not to “remove” the birthmark but instead keep the skin healthy, to prevent any further damage to the area.’
Kingsley’s birthmark looked light in colour when he was first born and darkened as he proceeded with laser treatment.
Now, at 18 months old, the stain is almost completely gone and Kingsley is at a much lower risk of future complications.
Ms Atkins and her partner often questioned whether they were making the right choice during Kingsley’s treatment but said they’re grateful they saw it through.
‘The whole thing was difficult but would we regret it? Absolutely not,’ she told Truly in June.
‘We didn’t want to wait [until Kingsley was older], we wanted to do it then and there and he won’t remember.
‘It would be a lot more stressful when he’s older than when he’s a baby.
‘He was fine afterwards, he was happy.’