Efficacy and safety of atenolol vs. propranolol for treatment of infantile haemangioma: a narrative review.

Infantile haemangioma (IH) remains the most common benign vascular tumour in childhood. Although most IH can be managed conservatively, a proportion of these lesions can cause disfigurement, ulceration or functional impairment, requiring prompt intervention. Propranolol, a lipophilic nonselective beta blocker, has been regarded as first-line therapy, following a serendipitous discovery of its use for IH in 2008. Although efficacious, it has been associated with adverse effects such as hypoglycaemia, bronchospasm, sleep disturbances and agitation in infant trials. Atenolol, a hydrophilic beta-1 selective blocker, has demonstrated similar efficacy and potentially greater tolerability, being less likely to cause sleep disturbances given its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, and a decrease in bronchial reactivity. The purpose of this review is to explore and critique current knowledge about the efficacy and safety of propranolol vs. atenolol in children with an IH. In total, seven studies comparing the two beta blockers were identified in our search. Atenolol appeared to be as efficacious as propranolol and was associated with fewer central nervous system and bronchial-related adverse events. Further research exploring the optimal dosing for atenolol, particularly for ulcerated or syndromic IHs, as well as the incidence and management of rebound growth would be beneficial.