Propranolol (β-blocker) for infantile hemangioma and congenital hemangioma

Propranolol, a nonselective β-blocker, was recently discovered to be effective for the treatment of infantile hemangioma. We evaluated the efficiency of propranolol in 10 patients with infantile or congenital hemangioma between May and November 2010. The patients' mean age at the initiation of treatment was 6 months (range : 11 days-19 months). Oral propranolol therapy started with the loading dose and was titrated up to 2 mg/kg/day while monitoring the patients' vital signs and blood glucose level. All except 1 patient responded to the treatment, in size and color. No side effects were noted during the treatment. The patients in the proliferating phase were well and responded rapidly to the treatment, compared to the patients in the involuting phase. There was no relation to tumor type. In conclusion, propranolol has potential as a first-line therapy for not only infantile hemangioma but also congenital hemangioma from the viewpoint of rapid reduction and safety.