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The effect of 0.5% topical timolol cream on regression of superficial infantile haemangioma in the involuting phase: a prospective, randomized, self-controlled study

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European Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Background

Infantile haemangiomas are the most common benign tumours affecting infants. Over time, the tumours may involute to some extent. However, sequelae, such as telangiectasia or fibrofatty tissue, often occur following this condition, which may cause disfigurement and influence patients’ psychosocial development.

Objective

This prospective, randomized, self-controlled study aimed to assess the effects of topical timolol (0.5%) on involuting infantile haemangiomas.

Materials & Methods

Each involuting superficial infantile haemangioma (n = 29) was randomly divided into two regions; one region was treated with topical timolol (0.5%) cream, three times daily, and the other region was untreated. The comparative treatments continued for three months. Five independent assessors, blinded to the treatment regimen, judged the treated and untreated regions by comparing photographs before and after treatment.

Results

The topical timolol-treated tumour sections showed no difference compared with the untreated sites (p = 0.355) after three months of treatment, and by the end of the treatment, the untreated lesions showed significant differences relative to pre-treatment (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Topical timolol was not observed to have any effect on the regression of infantile haemangiomas in the involuting phase.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

    Hanru Ying, Yue Han, Zongan Chen, Zhang Yu, Lei Chang, Gang Ma, Qianyi Chen, Shihjen Chang, Yajing Qiu & Xiaoxi Lin

Authors
  1. Hanru Ying
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  2. Yue Han
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  3. Zongan Chen
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  4. Zhang Yu
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  5. Lei Chang
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  6. Gang Ma
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  7. Qianyi Chen
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  8. Shihjen Chang
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  9. Yajing Qiu
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  10. Xiaoxi Lin
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yajing Qiu or Xiaoxi Lin.

Additional information

Acknowledgments and disclosures

Trial registration: Chictr.org.cn listing: ChiCTR-OPB-15007271. Conflicts of interest: none. Acknowledgments: This study was supported by grants of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81571917 and 81602786).

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Ying, H., Han, Y., Chen, Z. et al. The effect of 0.5% topical timolol cream on regression of superficial infantile haemangioma in the involuting phase: a prospective, randomized, self-controlled study. Eur J Dermatol 30, 591–595 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2020.3708

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2020.3708

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