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Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations pp 97–101Cite as

Propanolol and Beta-Blockers in the Medical Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas

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Abstract

Propranolol effectiveness on infantile hemangiomas (IHs) has been fortuitously observed. The mechanisms of action of propranolol on IHs are still poorly understood, but, since 2008, many reports have confirmed its efficacy, pooling case series and randomized studies one can say that propranolol presents a satisfactory short-term safety profile, and many teams advice oral propranolol as a first-line therapy in complicated IHs. Propranolol is indicated in case of life-threatening IHs, in case of functional consequences of the IH, or a risk of permanent disfigurement. After excluding contraindications, oral propranolol should be administered at the dose of 2–3 mg/kg/day for 6 months, about 10–15 % of infants needed to be retreated for 3–6 months more, especially if they present a large segmental IH and/or an IH with a deep component. Local beta-blockers, such as timolol, could be used for superficial IHs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Pediatric Dermatology, Reference Center for Rare Skin Diseases, CHU Bordeaux-Pellegrin-Enfants Hospital, Bordeaux, France

    Christine Léauté-Labrèze

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  1. Christine Léauté-Labrèze
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Correspondence to Christine Léauté-Labrèze .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Vascular Surgery, Center for Vascular Malformations "Stefan Belov", Clinical Institute Humanitas "Mater Domini", Castellanza (Varese), Italy

    Raul Mattassi

  2. Vascular Malformations, Facharztklinik Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Dirk A. Loose

  3. Department of Vascular Surgery, "G. Salvini" Hospital, Garbagnate Milanese (Milan), Italy

    Massimo Vaghi

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Léauté-Labrèze, C. (2015). Propanolol and Beta-Blockers in the Medical Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas. In: Mattassi, R., Loose, D., Vaghi, M. (eds) Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5673-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5673-2_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-5672-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5673-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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