Propranolol Treatment in the Management of Infantile Hemangioma in Erbil, Iraq

Infantile hemangioma is a common benign vascular tumor that affects up to 10% of infants. Propranolol, a beta-blocker, has been used as a promising treatment for infantile hemangioma, but its effectiveness remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of propranolol in the treatment of infantile hemangioma in Erbil, Iraq. This prospective interventional study was conducted between May 2021 and December 2022 at Rapareen Teaching Hospital in Erbil, Iraq. A total of 42 children entered the study, considering the inclusion criteria. Propranolol was given at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day and increased to 2-3 mg/kg/day within a few days if tolerated. Infants were treated and followed up for 3 to 6 months. During this follow-up, the infants were checked for cardiac, respiratory, and hypoglycemic symptoms. The obtained data were analyzed using paired, independent, and chi-square tests. The mean age of the infants was 11.48 ± 5.251 months. Regarding the gender distribution of the participants, 14 (33.3%) of the infants were males and 28 (66.7%) were females. Hemangiomas were observed in different body regions, including 6(14.3%) cases in the limbs, 28 (66.7%) in the head and neck, and 8 (19%) in the trunk. Regarding the response to treatment, the results revealed that 27 (64.3%) infants responded well to the treatment. There was a moderate response in 9 (21.4%) infants and a mild response in 6 (14.3%) infants. Based on the findings of this study, propranolol can be used as an effective and safe drug for hemangioma treatment.