Objective To study the cl inical features of infantile hemangioma and vascular malformation, to find out a proper strategy of deal ing with them. Methods From March 2000 to August 2007, 2 957 cases of infantile hemangioma and vascular malformation were treated, including 860 operative cases and 2 097 non-operative cases. There were 441 male and419 female patients in operation group, aging 6 months to 18 years (median 5 years). In 1 950 hemangioma patients of nonoperation group, there were 575 male and 1 375 female patients, aging 1 month to 14 years (median 6 months); in 147 vascular malformation patients of non-operation group, there 67 male and 80 female patients, aging 2 years to 17 years (median 7 years). In non-operative group, 147 vascular malformation patients and 1 525 infantile hemangioma patients were followed up without any medical intervention, while other 425 hemangioma patients recceived triamcinolone plus dexamethasone intralesional injection treatment. All the treatments and outcomes were recorded. Results Vascular malformation cases and infantile hemangioma cases presented totally different cl inical features. To the deadl ine of this study, 522 (34%) of 1 525 un-intervented hemangioma cases turned into involuted phase and 383 (90%) of 425 cases receiving triamcinolone plus dexamethasone intralesional injection treatment turned into involuted phase after injection treatment; no regression was noted in 147 cases of vascular malformation. The constituent ratio of infantile hemangioma in 860 operative cases was decreased gradually and the constituent ratio of vascular malformation was increased gradually as the age increasing. Conclusion Infantile hemangioma has a distinct l ife pattern. Except several specific cases need medical intervention for their special location or large ambit and unacceptable growth, most infantile hemangioma need no medical intervention. Most vascular malformations can not regress spontaneously, proper intervention is in need.