Abstract: PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of propranolol in the management of periorbital infantile hemangiomas. METHODS: Between May 2012 and January 2014, oral propranolol was applied to 30 infants with periorbital hemangiomas at a dose of 1.0-1.5 mg/kg taken once daily. There were 10 males and 20 females aging from 2 to 13 months with a mean age of 4.8 months. The mean duration of treatment was 19 weeks (4 to 38 weeks). The first follow-up visit was performed 2 weeks after therapy and scheduled monthly thereafter. The changes of the tumor size, texture and color were monitored and recorded at a regular interval. The adverse effects after medication were observed and managed accordingly. The treatment response based on improvement in volume, color, and texture after treatment was classified using a 4-point scale system. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 3 to 10 months. The overall response was scaleⅠ (poor) in 0 patient,scale Ⅱ(moderate) in 2 patients,scale Ⅲ (good) in 9 patients, and scale Ⅳ(excellent) in 19 patients. In all 30 infants, heart rates and blood pressure decreased 30 minutes post-medication and reached the peak within 2 hours. However, all these signs disappeared after taking propranolol for more than 12 h, and none required special treatment. Other side effects were observed in four patients involving diarrhea and one concerning sleep change. CONCLUSIONS: Oral propranolol was an effective and safe treatment for infantile periorbital hemangiomas, particularly early intervention suitable for severe periorbital proliferating infantile hemangiomas.

Key words: Hemangiomas, Propranolol, Periorbital region