The propranolol and infantile hemangioma in Madagascar

Background: Pediatric hemagioma is a benign vascular tumor and the most common tumor for children under one year. Since 2008, after the publication of C Labrèze and al., beta-blocker has become the reference treatment of all forms of infantil hemangioma. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and therapeutic tolerance of this beta-blocker in Malagasy children. Methods: We carried out a prospective descriptive study from 2008 till 2016 at the dermatology unit of Joseph Raseta Befelatanana Hospital Antananarivo. Our study considered all children aged less than fifteen years with infantile hemangioma and treated by oral propranolol. Results: In the 55 cases of pediatric hemangioma identified, there was a female predominance. Up to 73.5% of the patients carried a tuberous hemangioma; 70.5% of which with a facial localization. The mean duration of the treatment was 9.18 months with the dose of 2mg/kg/day. After the first month of treatment, a subsidence was observed in 25% of the cases and a paleness of the lesion in 74.28 %. After six months, 82.85% of the patients presented at the same time subsidence and paleness. No child presented serious side effects, demonstrating a good therapeutic tolerance. Conclusion: We can already say that based on its first use, Propranolol appears to be a promising treatment option of infantile hemangioma in Madagascar.