Infantile haemangiomas and beta blockers

It was pure serendipity that the French cardiologist recognised that beta-blockers seemed to have an effect on large infantile haemangiomas. The propranolol, which was commenced for the infant’s heart failure also seemed to have an effect on the infant’s haemangioma. Since then, beta-blockers have been considered to the first line treatment for large haemangiomas. Interestingly it took some time before the randomised controlled studies were completed to support the practice and the adverse events became clearer. Choosing which lesion requires treatment is the key decision, as many lesions involute on their own without intervention. Understanding the side effect profile of recommended medication is essential to make a shared management decision with the family. The side effects need to be fully understood. Ji Yi et al [JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2021.0454] have examined two beta blockers in a randomised clinical trial of 377 patients with infantile hemangiomas. This team...

from Archives of Disease in Childhood current issue https://ift.tt/33ZKyLP