One patient on propranolol had hypoglycemia, but all patients in the steroid group had at least one adverse event. The researchers also found propranolol therapy was about half the cost of steroid therapy ($205 for 7.9 months vs. $416 for 5.2 months, respectively). They concluded that propranolol should be considered a first-line therapy for infantile hemangiomas.
He said that larger, long-term studies "are needed to identify any potentially serious as well as long-term safety questions."
Dr. Krol disclosed that he is a paid investigator for Pierre Fabre.