New onset bronchial asthma following oral propranolol for infantile hemangioma

Abstract

Propranolol, a nonselective adrenergic beta-receptor blocker, is the first-line drug used for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas (IH). However, its use is contraindicated in patients with bronchial asthma. Nevertheless, studies assessing whether propranolol triggers asthma in infants and affects asthma control are limited. Here, we report the case of an infant with IH who developed asthma after starting propranolol. Asthma control was refractory to inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene receptor antagonists, although it improved remarkably with discontinuation of propranolol. This report suggests that infants with a family history of allergic disorders should be monitored for asthma after propranolol administration.