Oral versus topical propranolol in infantile hemangiomas

Objective: To determine the therapeutic response rate of oral and topical propranolol in infantile hemangiomas (IH). Methodology: A sample size of 60 patients was calculated using WHO calculator. Non probability consecutive sampling was used. Ethical approval and consent forms were taken. Patients were randomly divided into two groups using lottery method. Group A was given oral propranolol and Group B was given topical timolol. Both groups were followed for 3 months for Visual analogue scale of therapeutic response rate. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. Chi-square test was applied. P value <= 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total 60 infantile hemangioma patients were included in study. Mean age of patients was 5.4months +/- 1.9SD. There were 32(53.3%) male and 28(46.7%) female. Therapeutic response rate was higher in topical timolol as compare to oral propranolol (p=0.003). Adverse effects were significantly higher in oral propranolol group as compare to topical timolol (p=0.000). Conclusion: Topical timolol is safe and effective treatment in infantile hemangiomas as compare to oral propranolol. Topical timolol poses less risk of inducing adverse effects among infants. Therefore, topical propranolol is recommended for small and superficial infantile hemangiomas.