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Published on: April 28, 2023
Effects of systemic propranolol treatment on physical growth of patients with infantile hemangiomas
Li Hu1, Bingrui Zhou2, Huizhen Huang1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Systemic propranolol is a safe treatment for infantile hemangiomas, with minor complications. The therapy did not significantly impact infants
Area of Science:
- Pediatric dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infantile hemangiomas are common vascular tumors in infants.
- Propranolol has been a primary treatment since 2008.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate complications of systemic propranolol therapy.
- To assess the impact on infant physical growth.
Main Methods:
- 76 infants received propranolol (2 mg/kg/day).
- Abnormal symptoms and growth parameters were monitored.
- Follow-up extended to age 2 years.
Main Results:
- Minor complications included sleep issues, diarrhea, and glucose changes.
- 5.26% showed a growth curve drop; half normalized post-treatment.
- No long-term underweight, wasting, or stunning observed.
Conclusions:
- Systemic propranolol is safe for problematic infantile hemangiomas.
- The treatment does not adversely affect physical growth.
- Monitoring for minor side effects is recommended.
Abstract:
Propranolol has been widely used in the treatment of infantile hemangiomas since 2008. This study aimed to investigate complications of systemic propranolol therapy for infantile hemangiomas, especially its effect on infants' physical growth. In this study, propranolol was given at a dose of 2 mg/kg per day. Abnormal symptoms and growth parameters were recorded in detail during the therapy. Follow-up visits were arranged to continue at least through the age of 2 years. A total of 76 patients with complete growth parameters were enrolled into the study. Complications of propranolol were minor, and mainly included sleeping disorders, diarrhea, decrease in fasting glucose, bronchial hyperactivity and hyperkalemia. Four (5.26%) patients' growth curve dropped off more than 20 percentiles during therapy and half of them returned to normal after withdrawal of the medications. None of them suffered from underweight, wasting or stunning when medication was stopped. Systemic propranolol was proved to be a safe treatment for problematic infantile hemangiomas and did not affect the physical growth.
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