PROPRANOLOL THERAPY FOR INFANTILE FACIAL HEMANGIOMA

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Vascular Surgery Unit, Mansoura University, Egypt

2 Paediatric Department Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of propranolol therapy in infantile facial hemangioma. 
Methods: Infants with facial hemangiomas who had not received either local or systemic corticosteroids were 
recruited. The changes in tumor size, color, and texture, and any side effects of the drug were recorded.
- A full informed consent was obtained from parents.
- Propranolol is given as an oral liquid; the initial dose was 0.5mg per kilogram of body weight per day. If the 
vital signs and glucose levels are normal, the dose was gradually increased over 2 weeks to 2 mg/kg/day 
every 8 hours.
Results: Twenty two infants (14 females and 8 males) fit the inclusion criteria and were included in this 
study; their mean age at presentation was 2.8 months (range 1-6). The mean duration of treatment was 
2.52 ± 1.14 months and the mean follow-up period after propranolol had been stopped was 6.27 ± 2.18 
months. The tumor responded to the drug and decreased in size in all of the cases (100%). No serious adverse 
effects were observed.
A single case showed signs of regrowth after 3 months of cessation of therapy.
Conclusion: Propranolol in a dose of 2ml /kg /day is a safe, easy and more predictable therapy for infantile 
facial haemangioma.Propranolol must be considered as first-line therapy in haemangioma.

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