IntroductionInfantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common benign vascular tumors of childhood, with an incidence of 5–10% during the first year of age. Propranolol is considered the first-line treatment for this condition. Potentially there is a high probability of negative results to therapy, because in many countries there are no treatment protocols or propranolol formulations appropriate for the pediatric population. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist interventions such as detecting, analyzing, and solving problems presented during treatment with propranolol in patients with IH.MethodsAn open observational prospective study was performed over 25 months in a group of pediatric patients diagnosed with infantile hemangioma treated with propranolol. Pharmacist participation consisted of development of an extemporaneous formulation and counseling the child’s parents. At each visit to the pharmacy service, family members were interviewed, detecting and classifying problems related to treatment.ResultsSixty-three children with IH were treated during the period under review. Patient ages ranged from 3 to 11 months old; 64% were female and 36% were male. Forty-nine problems in 30 patients were detected, principally inadequate dose (18.4%), non-adherence to treatment (16.3%), side effects (14.3%), and wrong administration (14.3%). Of the problems detected, 81.6% were resolved. Interventions by the pharmacist in 27 patients were intensive counseling on adherence to therapy (20%), detection of adverse effects (11.4%), and adjustment of the dose (22.9%). In 95.2% of patients a good response to treatment was obtained compared with 77.2% reported in European studies without pharmacist intervention.ConclusionIt seems that pharmacist participation increases adherence to treatment and reduces the likelihood of adverse effects, allowing for safe and effective therapy in patients with IH.

BackgroundInfantile hemangiomas are the most common childhood vascular tumors, occurring in 10 % of children aged less than 1 year. Propranolol, a β-adrenergic blocker mainly indicated for hypertension, has proven effective in treating these types of tumors.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of propranolol in Mexican pediatric patients diagnosed with infantile hemangioma, treated with an extemporaneously compounded solution of propranolol.MethodsAn open prospective observational study at the Children’s Hospital of the Californias in Tijuana, Mexico was performed on ambulatory pediatric patients between the ages of 3 and 12 months diagnosed with infantile hemangioma. Patients were treated with an oral solution of propranolol in doses ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mg/kg/day. Children were monitored monthly by the physician in charge, at which time clinical and treatment data were collected.ResultsOver a period of 20 months, 31 patients were treated (36 % male and 64 % female).The majority of hemangiomas were superficial (55 %), located mainly on the face. Treatment had an average duration of 10.5 months. Ninety-six percent responded to the treatment, showing decreases in size and coloration of the hemangioma. Children who started therapy before 5 months of age had a significantly better response and shorter duration of treatment. The average therapeutic dose was 1.5 mg/kg/day. Five patients experienced mild adverse effects during the first month of therapy.ConclusionTreatment with propranolol in this group of Mexican pediatric patients proved to be safe and effective at an average dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day, reducing the size and coloration of hemangioma with a minimum incidence of adverse effects.