An infantile hemangioma may ulcerate, which can lead to significant morbidity for the patient.
Patient selection: infant with an ulcerated hemangioma
Factors associated with more rapid healing of the ulceration:
(1) smaller hemangioma (<= 5 square cm)
(2) dose of propranolol <= 1 mg per kg per day. The dose may be increased once the ulcer has healed.
where:
• There probably is a lower limit to the daily dose of propranolol. Too low of a dose would not be effective.
Hemangioma Area
|
OR Healing
|
<= 5 square cm
|
1.0
|
5.01 to 10 square cm
|
0.7
|
> 10 square cm
|
0.3 to 0.4
|
Complications of an ulcerated hemangioma:
(1) bleeding
(2) infection
(3) pain
(4) disability, with interference with activities of daily life