Preliminary experiences in treating infantile hemangioma with propranolol.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of treating infantile hemangioma with the use of oral propranolol. A total of 27 patients with hemangiomas were treated with oral propranolol therapy. The subjects included 21 female patients and 6 male patients whose age ranged between 3 weeks and 7 months. Locations of lesions were as follows: 22 on the face and neck, 3 on the trunk, and 2 on the limbs. The dose of 0.5 mg/kg/d of propranolol was administered; and was gradually doubled to a maximum of 2 mg/kg/d. The treatment lasted for a period of 2.75 to 5.75 months without major complications. Two days later, a change in color was observed in 100% of patients, and 2 weeks later >75% reduction in diameter of the original lesion was found in 25.9% of patients. Treating infantile hemangioma with the use of oral propranolol is effective and reliable.