title: Topical propranolol cream in treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas: a literature review and 4 years of clinical experience.
abstract: The clinical efficacy and safety profile of propranolol 1% cream in treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas (IHs) were determined in a preliminary randomized group of eight infants. Five boys and three girls, 3 to 12 months old, with an IHs superficial capillary type on the forehead, posterior side of the neck, forearm, abdomen, or posterior side of the trunk were examined at our outpatient clinic between 2011 and 2014. Topical propranolol was applied twice daily for 10 months with clinical evaluation and photographic documentation performed every 1 to 2 months. Size, texture, and color changes were monitored. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated using the Archauer system: Grade I (bad) reduction in size < 25%, Grade II (medium) reduction between 26% and 50%, Grade III (good) reduction between 51% and 75%, and Grade IV (excellent) reduction > 75%. The majority of hemangiomas treated, 62.5%, achieved Grade IV. A Grade III outcome was noticed in one patient with an IH (12.5%) and Grade II in 25% of patients with IHs on the abdomen. The treatment was well tolerated without side effects, which indicates that topical application of 1% propranolol is a safe, effective, and cheap therapeutic option for treating superficial IHs.
authors.affiliation: Croatian Vitiligo Association, Zagreb, Croatia. Corresponding author: kovacevic.maja01@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kovačević
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lukinović Škudar
authors.affiliation: Naftalan Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation, Ivanić Grad, Croatia.
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maričić
authors.affiliation: Naftalan Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation, Ivanić Grad, Croatia.
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krnjević-Pezić
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Andrija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stanimirović
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D063465:Skin Cream; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol