Safety of propranolol for infantile hemangioma in infants less than five weeks corrected age
Jorie Gatts, M Rush, Jennifer Check, Diane M. Samelak, Thomas W. McLean
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Propranolol is used to treat problematic infantile hemangiomas (IHs), but its safety in infants <5 weeks corrected age has not been established. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of propranolol for treatment of IH in infants <5 weeks corrected age, or 45 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA). METHODS: We performed a single institution, retrospective review of patients treated with propranolol prior to the age of 6 months between 2017 and 2021. Patient characteristics, location of hemangioma(s), weight at initiation of treatment, dosing information, side effects, response, and duration of treatment were documented. RESULTS: Of 200 patients with IH treated with propranolol, 24 started treatment prior to 45 weeks CGA. Mean CGA at initiation of treatment was 42 weeks. Sixty-seven percent were female and 75% were white, non-Hispanic. Mean duration of treatment was 255 days. Twenty-two patients (92%) had clear benefit from treatment at a dose of 1-3 mg/kg/day. The most common side effects were sleep disturbance (21%), irritability (17%), and cool hands/feet (13%). There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of 24 patients with corrected age <5 weeks (CGA <45 weeks), propranolol was safe and effective for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas. Larger, prospective studies are indicated to investigate propranolol in this age group.