title: Propranolol for hemangiomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hemangiomas are the most common benign soft tissue tumors occurring in 5-10 % of children at around the age of 1 year and of them 10 % are associated with significant morbidity and entail medical attention. In this study, efficacy and adverse effects of the drug propranolol were observed on hemangiomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral propranolol was given to 36 children at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day in three divided doses. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded during the first 3 h of treatment. Treatment was continued at home and the children were re-evaluated at monthly interval. Photographs were taken in pre- and post-treatment phages and changes of hemangiomas were measured with visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immediate effects on color and growth were noted in all cases that were especially dramatic in cases of extensive lesions. Clinical evidence of regression was seen within 30 days in all cases and completely regressed within 7 months. Mean duration of treatment was 4.1 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propranolol had a rapid stabilizing effect leading to early regression of hemangiomas when administered orally at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day with good quality safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh. t_mh@live.com
authors.forename: Mahmudul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Matiur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Shafiqul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoque
authors.forename: A K M
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Zahid Hossain
authors.forename: Lubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khondker
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol