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European Journal of Dermatology

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Sequelae following infantile haemangiomas treated with propranolol Volume 31, numéro 6, November-December 2021

Illustrations


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Tableaux

Auteurs
1 Paediatric Dermatology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
2 Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
3 Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
4 Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
5 Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
6 Hospital del Nino Jesus, Madrid, Spain
7 Dermatology Unit and Angioma Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
8 Department of Health Sciences, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
9 Department of Dermatology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
10 Epidemiologia Clínica, CIM - Caiber - IIb Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
11 Dermatology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu y Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
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Background: Oral propranolol accelerates the involution of infantile haemangiomas (IHs). However, it is not clear whether IHs treated with oral propranolol are associated with fewer sequelae than when left untreated. Objectives: To quantify and describe sequelae associated with IHs treated with oral propranolol, and to explore whether treated IHs are associated with fewer sequelae than untreated IHs. Materials & Methods: This multicentre, retrospective, cohort study included patients with IH treated with oral propranolol ≥2 mg/kg for at least six months, with photographic images available at baseline and at age 4-5 years. A historical comparison cohort comprised 185 patients with untreated IHs. Main outcomes/measures were: IH features, treatment characteristics and type/degree of sequelae. Results: Oral propranolol, most commonly at 2 mg/kg/day (mean duration: nine months), was initiated in 171 patients (mean age: 6.02 months). After treatment, 125 of 171 (73.1%) IHs were associated with no/minimal sequelae. The most common sequelae were telangiectasia (78%), fibrofatty tissue (37%) and anetodermic skin (28%). Deep IHs were associated with significantly fewer sequelae than other subtypes. Ulceration appeared to increase the likelihood of severe sequelae. IHs with a stepped border was associated with more severe sequelae than those with a progressive border (44% versus 27%, p < 0.05). Treated IHs resolved without sequelae or were associated with a sequela that did not need correction in 27.7% more cases than untreated IHs (RR: 1.61; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Among IHs treated with oral propranolol, 73% resolved without, or were associated with minimal sequelae. Deep IHs were associated fewer sequelae than other subtypes. Oral propranolol decreased the likelihood of IH sequelae requiring correction