A survey on the application of oral propranolol and atenolol for the management of infantile hemangiomas in mainland China: Survey on propranolol atenolol hemangiomas

Since 2008, oral propranolol has evolved as the first-line therapy for infantile hemangiomas (IHs). Meanwhile, oral atenolol gradually shows comparative effectiveness versus oral propranolol with few side effects. Here, we conducted a mobile internal survey among a group of Chinese clinicians about how they choose the dosage, dose regimen, and dose escalation methods of propranolol and atenolol for the treatment of IH. A mobile-ready internal survey on the application of oral propranolol and oral atenolol for IH in mainland China was performed and distributed to 333 potential clinicians from different levels of healthcare institutions in mainland China. Eighty-one doctors responded to the survey. All the respondents had the experience of treating IH with oral propranolol and 32 had the experience with oral atenolol. Most of the doctors from tertiary hospitals chose 2 mg/kg/d twice daily, while most of those with the experience of propranolol from private hospitals chose 1 mg/kg/d once daily. More doctors from tertiary hospitals had the experience of atenolol than those from private hospitals. Oral atenolol has become another medication intervention option for IH in mainland China. This survey is helpful to standardize and develop a guideline of oral atenolol therapy for IH.