The outcome of combination of low dose oral prednisolone with propranolol for the treatment of infantile haemangioma

OBJECTIVE To determine the outcome of combination of low dose oral Prednisolone with oral propranolol for the treatment of infantile hemangioma. METHODS The patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were registered through outpatient department. Diagnosis was confirmed clinically and on Color Doppler ultrasonography (CD). All the patients were given oral prednisolone in a dose of 1mg/kg/day and propranolol in a dose of 0.5mg/kg/day twice a day and increased up to 1.5mg/kg/day BID within three days with close monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure and blood glucose as inpatient. Treatment was given for three months then titered down for two weeks before cessation of treatment. The follow-up of patients were performed at 7(th) day, at 1(st) month and finally at 3(rd) month. Treatment compliance was checked during each visit along with outcome parameters i.e. response which was excellent, good, moderate slight improvement and no effect. All the information's were collected. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 10. RESULTS Out of total 73 patients, 36.99% (n=27) were one year of age, 32.88% (n=24) were two years of age and 30.13% (n=22) were three years of age, mean± SD: 1.96±0.54 years, 53.42% (n=39) were male and 46.58% (n=34) were females, frequency of response of the treatment was recorded as 56.16% (n=41) had excellent, 23.29% (n=17) had good, 15.07% (n=11) had moderate response, 4.11% (n=3) had slight improvement and 1.37% (n=1) had no effect while frequency of acceptable outcome revealed as acceptable in 79.45% (n=58) while 20.55% (n=15) had not acceptable outcome. CONCLUSION The frequency of acceptable outcome of combination of low dose oral Prednisolone with oral propranolol for the treatment of infantile hemangioma is higher.