title: Infantile haemangiomas: a challenge in paediatric dermatology.
abstract: Infantile haemangiomas, common benign vascular tumours of childhood, are characterized by rapid growth during the first year of life and a slow regression that is usually completed at 7-10 years of age. These tumours are composed of endothelial cells with high mitotic rates and stromal components such as fibroblasts, mast cells and pericytes. Haemangiomas become a challenge when they are part of a syndrome, are located in certain areas of the body or when complications develop. The above-mentioned factors also influence the treatment modality used. However, although there remain many uncertainties regarding management, the beta-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol is a promising new candidate for first-line systemic therapy. It produces such a dramatic and rapid response that the appearance of an infantile haemangioma should impart expeditious consideration of the risks and benefits of its use.
authors.affiliation: New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA. roschwar@cal.berkeley.edu
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Sidor
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Musumeci
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Micali
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol