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[Effectiveness and dangers of interferon-alpha in the treatment of severe hemangiomas in infants].

UNLABELLED
Alarming hemangiomas, due to their site or repercussions, require pharmacological treatment. Corticosteroid therapy is indicated by first intention. In the event of failure, interferon alpha is proposed.


CASE REPORTS
Case 1. A five-week-old infant was admitted to hospital for an extensive hemangioma of the left side of the face and neck with necrosis of the upper lip and ear. Prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day) by intravenous route brought about no improvement. Interferon alpha 2a (3 MU/m2/day of Referon by subcutaneous injection) enabled regression of lesions from the sixth month of treatment. After 11 months of treatment, the hemangioma had all but disappeared and interferon therapy was stopped. Repair surgery was planned at 24 months of age. Case 2. A one-month-old infant suffered from a hemangioma of the right side of the face with orbital invasion and risk of amblyopia. Prednisone (2 mg/kg/day) by oral route was ineffective. Interferon alpha 2a enabled regression of the hemangioma and the eye opened from the third month of treatment. Interferon therapy was stopped after 14 months. Initial repair surgery intervention was possible at two years of age. Spastic paraplegia was diagnosed at 18 months of age. The brain and medullar magnetic resonance imaging was normal. No etiology could explain the neurological attack. The possible toxic effect of interferon alpha is discussed.


CONCLUSION
Interferon alpha is an effective treatment for hemangiomas. It significantly reduces spontaneous regression time. The uncertainty of long-term effects in infants with hemangiomas incites its indication to be limited to alarming corticosteroid-resistant forms and necessitates prolonged neurological surveillance.