Propranolol as first-line treatment for rapidly proliferating infantile haemangiomas.
Infantile haemangioma is the commonest childhood tumour and approximately 10% requires treatment.(1,2) Recent reports have highlighted the impressive efficacy of propranolol in treating rapidly proliferating haemangioma. The aims of our study were to prospectively assess the efficacy of propranolol as a first line treatment for problematic haemangioma, and develop a treatment regime. 31 consecutive patients with rapidly proliferating infantile haemangioma with functional impairment or cosmetic disfigurement were treated with propranolol as a first line treatment. All patients had cardiovascular pre-treatment work-up and commenced on propranolol at 3 mg/kg/day. A rapid halt in haemangioma proliferation was seen in 100% of patients and significant regression in 87% of patients. This treatment is well tolerated and has little side effects. Since this study, our unit has adopted the policy of using propranolol as a first line treatment for all problematic proliferative infantile haemangiomas.
Holmes
W J M
WJ
Department of Plastic Surgery, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK. willjmholmes@googlemail.com
Mishra
A
A
Gorst
C
C
Liew
S H
SH
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol