Platelet aggregation response in children with infantile haemangioma under propranolol treatment.

Abstract

Infantile haemangioma is characterized by the proliferation of immature endothelial cells. A small portion requires treatment. Beta blockers are a good treatment option; however, it has been shown that beta blockers cause a decrease in the aggregation response of platelets. Twenty healthy children and 20 children with a diagnosis of infantile haemangioma who were started on propranolol treatment were included in the study. All patients were given propranolol 1 mg/kg/day in two doses. Haemangioma size, appearance features, blood count parameters and percentage of the maximal amplitude of platelets were compared before treatment and at the first month of treatment. The percentage of the maximal amplitude was determined using the light transmission aggregometry method. A total of 23 haemangiomas were detected. The mean size of haemangioma at the first month after treatment (2.46 cm) was statistically significantly lower than before treatment (2.65 cm) ( P  < 0.05). A lighter shade was noticeable in six of 23 (26.1%) haemangiomas. The number of patients whose swelling decreased (13 patients, 68.4%) was significantly greater than the number whose swelling did not decrease (six patients, 31.6%) ( P  < 0.05). There was no difference in blood count parameters and percentage of the maximal amplitude of platelets between groups ( P  > 0.05, for all). When 1 mg/kg/day propranolol was given to children with infantile haemangioma, it was shown that propranolol was effective in the response to treatment even after 1 month of treatment, and there was no change in the blood count parameters and platelet aggregation response.