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Propranolol for the treatment of infantile haemangioma
Author(s) -
Dalby Tara Kristen,
LesterSmith David
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.12076
Subject(s) - medicine , child health , pediatrics , club , citation , family medicine , library science , computer science , anatomy
IH are the most common tumour of childhood, occurring in 4–10% of infants and usually arise in the first few weeks of life. They have an early rapid proliferative phase when bleeding, and ulceration may occur, and the natural history is resolution over time, with 90% fully regressed by 9 years of age. IH usually do not require intervention. Indications for treatment depend on the size and the location of the tumour. IH are not only a cosmetic concern but can be life threatening when arising around airways and can impact on bodily function when present near eyes, ears or the perineum. Scarring following resolution, necessitating surgery, is not uncommon. Where clinically indicated, corticosteroids have traditionally been the mainstay of treatment during the proliferative phase to reduce growth but are of limited use after this period. Propranolol for treating IH was a serendipitous discovery, first reported by Léauté-Labrèze et al., in 2008. Two children with large IH were treated for high output cardiac failure with propranolol. Impressive and rapid regression of their haemangiomas was noted. Subsequently, the authors reported similar outcomes for a further nine children with IH treated with propranolol.