Oral Propranolol for Infantile Hemangiomas (NEJM Journal Club)

Level of Evidence: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Infantile hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors affecting 5-10% of infants. Oral propranolol is a potential treatment option.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized trial compared oral propranolol (3 mg/kg/day) to placebo in 460 infants with hemangioma.

Results: Propranolol achieved successful treatment in 60% of participants, compared to 4% in the placebo group.

Conclusion: Oral propranolol is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for infantile hemangiomas, but further research is needed for optimal treatment duration and long-term effects.