[Corticosteroid for hemangioma in infants and young children]

500 infants and young children suffering from hemangioma treated by corticosteroid (Prednisone) are reported. This disorder is most commonly seen in the head and neck (64.2%). Clinically there are 3 types of hemangioma: intradermal (34.1%), subdermal (11.3%), and mixed (51.5%). Our patients were treated with steroid (Prednisone 20-40 mg/QOD at 8 am). All patients were responsive. In 411 evaluated patients, 151 (36.7%) gave CR, 83 (20.1%) gave CR with residual telangiectasis, 172 (41.5%) gave PR, and in 5 patients, the lesion remained or slightly faded. During and within 3 years of treatment, none developed undesirable side effects, though the treatment was protracted to 2 years.