Abstract: Objective To explore the efficacy, safety and appropriate method of oral propranolol for superficial infantile hemangiomas. Methods From January 2010 to January 2013, 56 cases with infantile hemangiomas in superficial body were treated with oral propranolol. These lesions ranged from 0.8 cm ×0.6 cm to 4.0 cm ×4.5 cm. Propranolol was administered orally twice a day after meal. The initial dose was 0.5 mg/Kg·d, and was added 0.2 mg/Kg every day till it added up to 1.5 mg/Kg·d only if complications were not occurred in the cases. After treated for 4 months, the dose was decreased by 0.2 mg/Kg every day to withdrawal. Follow-up was conducted every month during treatment. The response to therapy after 6 months of propranolol withdrawal was evaluated using Achauer system. Results Fifty-three cases took propranolol for 4 months, 1 case gave up therapy because of obvious fatigue during the first month of treatment, and 2 cases ended treatment as they had gotten cured almostly after taking propranolol for 3 months. Most hemangiomas decreased distinctly in size and color, and some even disappeared completely when treatment ended. According to Achauer system, 2 cases were scale Ⅰ(including 1 recurrence), 6 cases were scaleⅡ (including 5 recurrence), 17 cases were scale Ⅲand 31 cases were scaleⅣafter six months of propranolol withdrawal. Recurrence of lesion was noticed in six cases after propranolol withdrawal. No other adverse reaction was observed during taking medication except obvious fatigue in 1 case and intermittent diarrhea without affecting diet and therapy in 6 cases. Conclusion Oral propranolol is one of the effective methods for treating infantile hemangiomas located in superficial body, both the efficacy and safety are probably relative to its dose and usage.

Key words: Infantile hemangioma, Vascular disease, Propranolol