Newell, Brandon

Objectives: Systemic beta-blockers are highly effective for the management of infantile hemangiomas (IH), but little is known about infants who do not adequately respond. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of suboptimal responders to standard-dose systemic beta-blockers in infants with IH. Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study to evaluate demographics, IH lesion characteristics, and treatment specifics of infants with IH with suboptimal response to baseline standard-dose propranolol treatment. Clinical response was used to assess the outcome after a therapeutic change. Results: Twenty-five infants were included in this study. Seven (28%) had segmental IH, 16 (64%) focal, and 2 (8%) indeterminate. The IHs were located on the head and neck in 21 (84%) infants, with 24 (96%) having a deep or combined component. Therapy changes after standard-dose propranolol treatment failure, most commonly by escalating propranolol dose to ≥2.5 mg/kg/d (59%) or surgical interventions (29%), were associated with good therapeutic effects. Conclusion: Among suboptimal responders to standard-dose systemic propranolol, IHs with a deep or combined component and located on the head and neck were the most common. This retrospective study was largely descriptive in nature with additional exploratory analyses. However, it is still encouraging that for patients with a suboptimal clinical response, higher propranolol doses of ≥2.5–3 mg/kg/d or second-line treatments with surgical interventions or systemic steroids can be considered as potentially safe and effective alternatives. Level of evidence: Level 4 (case series).

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesThe COVID‐19 pandemic prompted a rapid expansion in the use of telemedicine. This study aimed to assess the experiences of hemangioma specialists utilizing telemedicine during the COVID‐19 pandemic to evaluate and manage infantile hemangiomas (IH), including perceived effectiveness of different modalities and barriers to care delivery.MethodsMulticenter cross‐sectional study asking providers to describe their experiences using telemedicine for initial evaluation of IH from March to September 2020.ResultsThe study included 281 patients from 15 medical centers internationally. Median time from referral to evaluation was 17 days. Median physician confidence in performing evaluations via telemedicine was 95.0 (IQR 90.0–100.0). Most evaluations were performed via video communication with photographs or audio communication with photographs; when not initially available, photographs were requested in 51.4%. Providers preferred follow‐up modalities that included photographs.ConclusionsPhysicians with extensive expertise in managing IH are confident in their abilities to assess and manage IH via telemedicine including initiating treatment in patients without risk factors for beta‐blocker therapy. There was a preference for hybrid modalities that included photographs. The data suggest that telemedicine can be effective for managing IH and may decrease wait times and improve specialist reach to underserved areas.

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has caused significant shifts in patient care including a steep decline in ambulatory visits and a marked increase in the use of telemedicine. Infantile hemangiomas (IH) can require urgent evaluation and risk stratification to determine which infants need treatment and which can be managed with continued observation. For those requiring treatment, prompt initiation decreases morbidity and improves long‐term outcomes. The Hemangioma Investigator Group has created consensus recommendations for management of IH via telemedicine. FDA/EMA‐approved monitoring guidelines, clinical practice guidelines, and relevant, up‐to‐date publications regarding initiation and monitoring of beta‐blocker therapy were used to inform the recommendations. Clinical decision‐making guidelines about when telehealth is an appropriate alternative to in‐office visits, including medication initiation, dosage changes, and ongoing evaluation, are included. The importance of communication with caregivers in the context of telemedicine is discussed, and online resources for both hemangioma education and propranolol therapy are provided.