title: Efficacy and safety of propranolol for the treatment of infantile hemangioma: a presentation of ninety-nine cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Propranolol is highly effective in the treatment of infantile hemangioma (IH), but important clinical and pharmacological data are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of propranolol for the treatment of IH, to identify favorable prognostic factors in propranolol-treated IH, and to evaluate the safety of propranolol for the treatment of IH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data were recorded from the electronic files and digital photographs of 99 patients with IH attending a tertiary pediatric medical center (2008-2011). Findings were evaluated by regression in volume and color changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The male-to-female ratio was 1:4. Age at treatment initiation was 9.4 ± 10.1 months; 15% of the treated hemangiomas were beyond the proliferative phase (17-54 months). The propranolol starting dose was 2 mg/kg/day. Duration of the treatment was 8.5 ± 3.2 months. All but 1 patient responded to treatment. A longer treatment course was required for segmental and deep hemangiomas. Mild side effects occurred in 32% of patients. Recurrence occurred in 13% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lesions located on the face are better responders when treatment is started early. Treatment should continue up to age 12-15 months, with a longer course for segmental or deep hemangiomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Lior
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sagi
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zvulunov
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lapidoth
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ben Amitai
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D011433:Propranolol