Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the treatment efficiency of low-dose propranolol for infantile hemangiomas. METHODS: A total of 452 infantile hemangioma patients admitted to our hospital from January 2011 to May 2012 were included in this study. The patients were divided into 0-6 months group (n=266), 7-12 months group (n=128), and 13-18 months group (n=58) according to their ages. All the patients received oral propranolol (1 mg/kg.d). Follow up was performed to determine changes of the color, size, texture of the hemangiomas, as well as the superficial temperature and the blood flow signals under ultrasonography. The efficiency of low-dose propranolol for infantile hemangiomas was analyzed and compared. RESULTS: For the 0-6 months group, satisfactory outcomes were found even 24 h after administration. Significant shrink was noted in the tumor mass of the infants. In addition, the color was faded, and the superficial temperature was decreased. Further more, the blood flow signals observed under ultrasound were decreased. Compared with the 0-6 months group, the symptoms of the 7-12 months group also showed alleviation; however, a significant delay was observed. For patients of 13-18 months, no significant improvement was discovered in the symptoms except for alleviation in part of the large size tumor and that with a long growing period. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose propranolol is effective for treating infantile hemangioma patients aged 0-6 months at the proliferative period. Partial response was achieved in patients aged 7-12 months. The efficiency in patients aged 13-18 months was not satisfactory.

Key words: Infantile hemangioma, Propranolol hydrochloride, Low-dose medication