Treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with timolol: Evaluation of short‑term efficacy and safety in infants

  • Authors:
    • Linjun Yu
    • Shengmiao Li
    • Baoli Su
    • Zhengji Liu
    • Jingjing Fang
    • Liqi Zhu
    • Minyan Huang
    • Wangyong Shan
    • Daiqiang Song
    • Binbin Ye
    • Chunfen Luo
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 21, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1176
  • Pages: 388-390
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Abstract

Timolol has been demonstrated to be efficacious in the topical treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas (IHs). We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the short‑term efficacy and safety of timolol in the treatment of superficial IH in Chinese infants. From March to November 2012, 124 patients with superficial IHs were included in the prospective study. The patients were divided into two groups: treatment (101 patients, the timolol drops were administered on the surface of the lesions three times daily, and erythromycin ointment was applied around the lesions) and observation (23 patients, without treatment). The results were categorized into three grades: class 1 (ineffective), class 2 (controlled growth) and class 3 (promoted regression). Within one week of the initiation of timolol treatment, a number of the lesions became softer and lighter in color. Four months following the initiation of timolol treatment, the overall response was class 1 in eight patients (7.9%), class 2 in 36 patients (35.6%) and class 3 in 57 patients (56.4%). Complete tumor regression was observed in 12 patients. No adverse effects were recorded during the treatment period. Among the patients in the observation group, there were 15 class 1 patients (65.2%), seven class 2 patients (30.4%) and only one class 3 patient (4.3%). In conclusion, timolol is an effective and safe treatment for superficial IH. In addition, it may be used in the treatment of proliferative superficial IH, particularly in infants within 6 months of age.
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August 2013
Volume 6 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Yu L, Li S, Su B, Liu Z, Fang J, Zhu L, Huang M, Shan W, Song D, Ye B, Ye B, et al: Treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with timolol: Evaluation of short‑term efficacy and safety in infants. Exp Ther Med 6: 388-390, 2013
APA
Yu, L., Li, S., Su, B., Liu, Z., Fang, J., Zhu, L. ... Luo, C. (2013). Treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with timolol: Evaluation of short‑term efficacy and safety in infants. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 6, 388-390. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1176
MLA
Yu, L., Li, S., Su, B., Liu, Z., Fang, J., Zhu, L., Huang, M., Shan, W., Song, D., Ye, B., Luo, C."Treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with timolol: Evaluation of short‑term efficacy and safety in infants". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 6.2 (2013): 388-390.
Chicago
Yu, L., Li, S., Su, B., Liu, Z., Fang, J., Zhu, L., Huang, M., Shan, W., Song, D., Ye, B., Luo, C."Treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas with timolol: Evaluation of short‑term efficacy and safety in infants". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 6, no. 2 (2013): 388-390. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1176