Thirty-two Japanese cases of infantile hemangiomas treated with oral propranolol.

Infantile hemangiomas undergo rapid growth during early infancy followed by gradual involution. Infantile hemangiomas sometimes impair vital functions or cause disfigurement. Thirty-two Japanese patients between the ages of 1 and 4 months with proliferating infantile hemangiomas received oral propranolol on an outpatient basis. The success rate (complete or nearly complete resolution) at week 25 was 56% (18/32). Two patients dropped out because of a personal reason and moving out. Recurrence after termination of treatment was seen in six patients. Adverse events occurred in 16 patients. There were no adverse events on day 1 (initiation of treatment at a dose of 1 mg/kg per day) and day 8 (dose increase to 2 mg/kg per day). One patient was hospitalized due to pneumonia, and suspended propranolol for 26 days. Oral propranolol at 2 mg/kg per day is effective and safe in Japanese patients with infantile hemangiomas.