Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Infantile haemangioma one of the most common tumour of new borns , a safe and effective treatment
options are under ongoing research .
OBJECTIVE:
The authors show the effectiveness and safety of low dose propranolol as a method for infantile
haemangioma treatment .
METHOD:
In this study twenty- four patients with infantile haemangioma in different anatomical locations were
treated with oral propranolol and the result were assessed in a retrospective analysis of the results
patients were kept on 0.25 mg/kg/day for one month , then on 0.5mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for
another one month , in the third month the dose will be increased to 1 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses ,
then the propranolol were given in a maintenance dose ranging between 1-1.5 mg/kg/day in 2 divided
doses according to the clinical response .The duration of treatment ranging from 6-18 months as a
small dose increasing over a long time .
RESULTS:
We had achieved excellent result in most of our patients, with reduction of size and fade of color of
hemangioma within 1 month from the initiation of treatment, when we stop the treatment no relapses
were noticed during our follow up period after finishing the course.
CONCLUSION:
Propranolol is one of the safest and most effective treatment options for the infantile haemangioma
even in low dose, with lower relapse rates and minimal consecutive side effects and drawbacks.