Treatment of infantile hemangiomas with beta-blockers: a review

Skin Therapy Lett. 2013 Sep-Oct;18(6):5-7.

Abstract

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common tumors occurring in early childhood, with a prevalence of approximately 5-10% of infants. While the natural history of IH is to spontaneously involute, a significant minority of IH require therapy with the aim to prevent disfigurement, functional impairment, or ulceration. In 2008, propranolol, a non-selective beta (β)-blocker, was reported to be highly effective in treating IH. Since that time there have been more than 200 articles published regarding the efficacy and potential toxicity of β-blockers, both systemic and topical, for the treatment of IH. Based on these finding, β-blockers appear to be highly effective in treating IH and are well tolerated, though side effects have been reported. When therapy is appropriately monitored, β-blockers have been proven to be a safer and superior alternative to systemic steroids.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Hemangioma / drug therapy*
  • Hemangioma / epidemiology
  • Hemangioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Prevalence
  • Propranolol / administration & dosage
  • Propranolol / adverse effects
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Propranolol