Factors associated with the relapse of propranolol-treated infantile hemangioma

Objective To analyze factors associated with the relapse of propranolol-treated infantile hemangioma. Methods The clinical data were collected from 235 children with infantile hemangioma who had discontinued propranolol for 6 months, and retrospectively analyzed. Factors for the relapse of propranolol-treated infantile hemangioma were analyzed by univariate and multivariate uncon-ditional logistic regression analyses. Results Of 235 patients followed for 6 months after drug withdrawal, 66 (28.1%) were identified to have recurrence of infantile hemangioma, of whom, 15 (22.7%) had severe recurrence. The risk of recurrence was significantly increased in patients taking propranolol at a daily dosage of 1.5 mg/kg compared with those taking propranolol at a daily dosage of 2 mg/kg (OR = 3.566, 95% CI: 1.306 - 9.739) , in patients aged > 8 weeks at the initial drug treatment compared with those aged ≤ 8 weeks at the initial drug treatment (OR = 5.043, 95% CI: 1.248 - 20.376) , in patients with the course of medication ≤ 6 months compared with those with the course of medication > 6 months (OR = 17.661, 95% CI: 4.899 - 63.665) , as well as in patients aged < 1 year at drug withdrawal compared with those aged ≥ 1 year at drug withdrawal (OR = 6.089, 95% CI: 1.835-20.204) . Conclusion There are many risk factors associated with the relapse of propranolol-treated infantile hemangioma, so some measures aimed at these risk factors should be taken to reduce the recurrence rate. Key words: Hemangioma; Infant; Propranolol; Recurrence; Age factors; Factor analysis, statistical