Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Oral Prednisolone with or without Propranolol in Treating Infantile Hemangioma Cases: A Clinical Institutional Based Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the mostcommon tumors of childhood. Systemic corticosteroids(prednisolone) have been the mainstay of treatment for IH, forseveral decades. Hence; we planned the present study toassess and compare the efficacy of oral prednisolone andpropranolol in regression of infantile hemangioma (IH).Materials & Methods: The present study included assessmentand comparison the efficacy of oral prednisolone andpropranolol in regression of IH. A total of 30 patients wereincluded in the present study. All the patients were randomlydivided into three study groups as follows Group 1 Patientswho received oral prednisolone 5 mg/kg/day, Group 2 Patientswho received oral propranolol 3 mg/kg/day, and Group 3Patients who received oral prednisolone 5 mg/kg/day andpropranolol 3 mg/kg/day simultaneously. We categorized casesas partial response in which there occurred a change in colorand consistency. All the results were analyzed by SPSSsoftware.Results: We observed significant results while comparing theresponse rates of the subjects of the group 1. However; wedidn’t observe any significant result, while comparing thetreatment response in subjects of group 2 and 3.Conclusion: In managing patients with IH, oral prednisolone isa viable and time tested therapeutic option. However; whenused either alone or in combination, prednisolone offers noother added benefits.