Clinical observation of treating infantile head and neck hemangioma with oral propranolol

To evaluate the treatment effect and drug safety of treating infantile head and neck hemangioma with oral propranolol.

Oral propranolol was applied to 68 infants(male 20 cases, female 48 cases, from 1 to 9-month-old, with an average age of 4. 2 month) with heamngiomas. The daily dose of propranolol was increased from 0. 5 mg / kg at the first day to 1. 0 mg / kg at the second day, and to 2 mg / kg at the third day. The daily dose was given equally every 8 hours. A therapy dose of 2 mg / kg / day was given until 1-year old, and the patients were visited every month. The changes of tumor size, texture, color and adverse effects were monitored. The short-term results were evaluated and adverse effects after medication were observed and managed accordingly by Achauer criterion.

Although side effects were noted in 23 cases (33. 8%), most were mild adverse effects and propranolol therapy was continued after symptomatic treatment. 2 patients (2. 9%) were stopped therapy due to hypotension and abnormal liver function after drug administration. The results were evaluated using Achauer system, scale Ⅰ (poor) in 6 patients (8. 8%), scale Ⅱ (moderate) in 11 patients(16. 2%), scale Ⅲ (good) in 17 patients (25%) and scale Ⅳ (excellent) in 32 patients (47. 1%).

Oral propranolol treatment of infantile hemangioma has elicited high efficacy and tolerance with few expected adverse effects. It might be used as the first-line treatment for infantile head and neck hemangioma.