Therapeutic Effect of Propranolol in Mexican Patients with Infantile Hemangioma.

BACKGROUND Infantile hemangiomas are the most common childhood vascular tumors, occurring in 10 % of children aged less than 1 year. Propranolol, a β-adrenergic blocker mainly indicated for hypertension, has proven effective in treating these types of tumors. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of propranolol in Mexican pediatric patients diagnosed with infantile hemangioma, treated with an extemporaneously compounded solution of propranolol. METHODS An open prospective observational study at the Children's Hospital of the Californias in Tijuana, Mexico was performed on ambulatory pediatric patients between the ages of 3 and 12 months diagnosed with infantile hemangioma. Patients were treated with an oral solution of propranolol in doses ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mg/kg/day. Children were monitored monthly by the physician in charge, at which time clinical and treatment data were collected. RESULTS Over a period of 20 months, 31 patients were treated (36 % male and 64 % female).The majority of hemangiomas were superficial (55 %), located mainly on the face. Treatment had an average duration of 10.5 months. Ninety-six percent responded to the treatment, showing decreases in size and coloration of the hemangioma. Children who started therapy before 5 months of age had a significantly better response and shorter duration of treatment. The average therapeutic dose was 1.5 mg/kg/day. Five patients experienced mild adverse effects during the first month of therapy. CONCLUSION Treatment with propranolol in this group of Mexican pediatric patients proved to be safe and effective at an average dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day, reducing the size and coloration of hemangioma with a minimum incidence of adverse effects.