Treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with topical propranolol

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1％ propranolol ointment in the treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas (IHs).Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 49 children (34 female and 15 male) with a median age of 4.1 months (range,1-10months).A total of 58 superficial IHs were treated with 1％ propranolol ointment.Topical propranolol was applied three times daily for a mean duration of 21.1 weeks (range,5-59 weeks).Changes in the size,texture,and color of the tumor were monitored and recorded at regular intervals.The treatment response was evaluated using a 3-point scale system:good,partial,and no response.Adverse effects after medication were evaluated and managed accordingly.Results Of the 49 cases,26 (53.1％)demonstrated good response,17 (34.7％) showed a partial response,and 6 (12.2％) had no response.The total effective rate was 87.8％.No systemic complication was observed in any of the patients.Conclusions Topical therapy with 1％ propranolol ointment may be a safe and effective method for the treatment of superficial IHs and can be used as an adjuvant treatment measure during the wait-and-see period. Key words: Infantile hemangioma;  Propranolol;  β-adrenergic receptor blocker