Effectiveness of propranolol for treatment of infantile haemangioma

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.