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Effectiveness of propanolol for treatment of infantile haemangioma
Ida Gillberg Andersen1, Catherine Rechnitzer, Birgitte Charabi
1Lybækgade 3, 4. tv., 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. ida_ga@hotmail.com.
Insights
Propranolol effectively treats infantile haemangiomas (IH) in most children, with a low dose often being sufficient. Early treatment initiation leads to better outcomes for IH management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infantile haemangiomas (IH) are common pediatric tumors with a predictable growth and regression cycle.
- Treatment is indicated for functional impairment, ulceration, bleeding, or significant aesthetic concerns.
- Systemic propranolol has emerged as a first-line therapy for IH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of propranolol in treating infantile haemangiomas.
- To determine if a low dose of 1 mg/kg/day of propranolol is sufficient for IH treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing children treated with propranolol for IH.
- Data collected from Rigshospitalet between 2010 and 2012.
Main Results:
- Propranolol demonstrated high efficacy, with 97% of patients responding positively.
- A low initial dose of 1 mg/kg/day was sufficient in 71% of cases, with 84% of children receiving this dose.
- Earlier treatment initiation (before five months) correlated with significantly better treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Propranolol is a safe and effective treatment for infantile haemangiomas, exhibiting minimal and mild side effects.
- A low daily dose of 1 mg/kg/day is often adequate for IH treatment.
- Early intervention with propranolol is recommended to improve treatment outcomes and minimize residual changes.
Introduction:
Infantile haemangiomas (IH) are the most common benign tumours in children. They are characterised by rapid growth during the first year of life followed by spontaneous regression during childhood. Indications for treatment are functional impairment, bleeding/ulceration, rapid growth and severe aesthetic risk. Recently, systemic treatment with propranolol has become the first-line therapy. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of propranolol in the treatment of IH and to investigate whether treatment with a low dose of 1 mg/kg/day was sufficient.
Material And Methods:
This study was retrospective and based on a review of children treated for IH with propranolol from the 2010-2012 period at Rigshospitalet.
Results:
Overall, propranolol was effective in all but one child (97%). The majority of the children (84%) were treated with an initial dose of 1 mg/kg/day, which was considered sufficient in most cases (71%). Children who started treatment before five months of age had a significantly better response than children who started treatment at a later age. No relation was found between location of IH and the effect of treatment. There were only few and mild side effects.
Conclusion:
Propranolol is effective in the treatment of IH and it has only few and mild side effects. In most cases, a low dose of 1 mg/kg/day was sufficient. Early initiation of treatment is recommended as the response to treatment was better in younger children and because early initiation helps prevent large residual changes.
Funding:
not relevant.
Trial Registration:
not relevant.
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