Abstract
Background To discuss the safety and efficacy of desonide combined with timolol for the treatment of superficial infantile hemangiomas.
Methods From June 2017 to December 2017, 56 infants with superficial hemangiomas were treated by topical application of desonide cream and timolol maleate eyedrops. Patients’ clinical data including gender, age, hemangioma position and their changes before and after treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by two dermatologists at 2 weeks and 3 months after desonide and timolol treatment. The therapeutic effects were rated as: ineffective, the lesion continued growing; partly effective, lesion remission rate ≥50% but no complete remission in size, color and texture; effective, the lesion was in complete remission.
Results A total of 56 patients received desonide and timolol treatment, and 20 patients were observed as controls. Two weeks after treatment the hemangioma became softer and smaller. At 3 months, the overall response was ineffective in 3 patients (5.36%), partly effective in 15 (26.79%), and effective in 38 (67.86%), of which 5 patients’ hemangiomas had completely disappeared but had a small amount of angiotelectasis. In the control group, the overall response was ineffective in 16 patients (80%), partly effective in 3 (15%), and effective in 1 (5%). The effectiveness and regression rate of the desonide and timolol treated group (94.64%, 67.86%) were significantly better than the control group (20%, 5%) (p<0.05), and no side effects were observed.
Conclusion It is safe and effective to use desonide and timolol to treat superficial infantile hemangiomas.