Infantile hemangioma responsive to low dose propranolol.

Abstract

After the discovery of the efficacy of propranolol on infantile hemangioma the beta-blockers became the first choice therapy of this neoformation rapidly supplanting corticosteroids because the latter, while being equally effective, were charged with severe side effects particularly during the first months of life. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind study established that the optimal dose of propranolol is 3 mg/kg/per day for 6 months (1). However, the discussion is still open both as regards the dosage of the drug and the duration of the treatment. Regarding the first problem, some Authors noted that even lower dosages of propranolol, such as those recommended for precaution in the extensive hemangiomas of the face in PHACE syndrome, may be effective (1, 2). The actual report showed that also dosages of 0.5 mg/kg/per day of propranolol can be effective in inducing a regression of hemangioma.