Evaluating systemic prednisone therapy for proliferating haemangioma in infancy

In this study, we reviewed the history of 38 children with proliferating haemangiomas treated with systemic corticosteroids at our institution between 2000 and 2002. Prednisone was administered at an initial dose of 2 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks followed by a dose of 1 mg/kg per day for another 2-4 weeks and consecutive slow tapering over an additional 4-5 months. For 93% of the children, this protocol was successful in reducing the size of the haemangioma by more than 25% after 2 weeks of treatment. Side effects were moderate and reversible after cessation of therapy.