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Propranolol Therapy for Problematic Infantile Hemangioma.
Marilyn Ng1, Candace Knuth, Chris Weisbrod
1From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|May 27, 2015
Summary
Propranolol effectively treats infantile hemangioma (IH) by significantly reducing tumor size. Early response indicates better outcomes, with most infants showing improvement within weeks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Vascular Anomalies
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infantile hemangioma (IH) affects up to 10% of infants.
- Propranolol is a leading treatment for IH.
- This study evaluated propranolol's effect on IH size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of propranolol in reducing infantile hemangioma size.
- To determine the timeline for therapeutic response to propranolol.
- To identify factors influencing treatment outcomes and side effects.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 27 infants (4-20 weeks old) treated with oral propranolol (2 mg/kg/day).
- Tumor size measured pre- and post-treatment over 10 months.
- Response categorized as no response, plateau, or regression; compliance and complications monitored.
Main Results:
- 85.2% of infants responded to propranolol therapy.
- Significant reduction in median tumor size from 4.50 cm to 1.55 cm (P=0.02).
- Regression group showed earlier response onset (15.15 days) vs. plateau (20.5 days).
Conclusions:
- Propranolol is a safe and effective first-line treatment for problematic infantile hemangiomas.
- Significant response to propranolol therapy should be evident within 2 weeks.
- Alternative treatments should be considered if no response is observed by 3 weeks.
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