Corticosteroid Treatment of Cutaneous Hemangiomas : How Effective?

Twenty-four children with cutaneous hemangiomas were treated with corticosteroids. The indications for therapy included interference with important bodily functions by the hemangioma, thrombocytopenia related to the hemangioma, or serious cosmetic effects secondary to the hemangiomas. Five children had no improvement, twelve had possible improvement, five had probable improvement and two had definite improvement while on corticosteroids. One child had growth retardation as a complication of corticosteroids; this was reversed when the medication wa dicsontinued.