Expanding the therapeutic repertoire of infantile haemangiomas: Cohort-blinded study of oral nadolol compared with propranolol

摘要

Madam, Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are benign vascular endothelial neoplasms, with potential for significant complications and cosmetic disfigurement. Propranolol, a nonselective beta-blocker, was reported to be beneficial in the treatment of IHs either alone or in combination with corticosteroids.' Long-term safety data and appropriate dosage are currently being investigated. As the beta-adrenergic system is involved in novelty detection and memory modulation,2 the potential long-term deleterious brain effects of prolonged propranolol use in infancy are not known. Nadolol is a synthetic, nonselective beta-blocker that is comparatively more beneficial due to a better safety profile,3'4 its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier5 and a longer half-life, requiring less frequent dosing and less rebound.6'7 The objectives of our study were to explore the efficacy and safety of nadolol in patients with IH, and die feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial.