Propranolol or Steroids for Infantile Hemangiomas?

Rate of response with propranolol was noninferior to that with steroid treatment.

Steroids have been used for infantile hemangiomas for many years. Propranolol has been prescribed more recently. To compare the efficacy of the two treatments, investigators conducted a randomized, noninferiority trial in which 34 infants (mean age, 3.3 months; range, 0.3–8.2 months) with hemangioma (mostly on the face) received 2 mg/kg per day of either propranolol or prednisolone.

After 16 weeks, the rate of response (the primary outcome) was similar with propranolol or prednisolone (95.7% and 91.9%, respectively), as were hemangioma volume reduction (55.9% and 46.5%) and vascular surface area reduction. Also similar with either treatment were the number of patients whose lesions regressed or stopped progressing and the speed with which th…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Propranolol or Steroids for Infantile Hemangiomas?

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Reviewing Author