Maham Khan, Aaron Boyce, David Prieto-Merino, Åke Svensson, Emma Wedgeworth, Carsten Flohr
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2681

To date the efficacy and safety of topical timolol in the treatment of infantile hemangioma has not been reviewed and analysed systematically. We collated all published data on the efficacy and safety of topical timolol in the treatment of infantile hemangioma. A total of 31 studies with 691 patients were included. The fixed effects pooled estimate of the response rate defined as any improvement from baseline of infantile hemangioma after treatment with topical timolol was significant (RR=8.96; 95% CI 5.07–15.47; heterogeneity test p=0.99), and the treatment was overall well tolerated. However, the quality of evidence was low to moderate. Topical timolol is an effective treatment for small infantile hemangioma, with no significant adverse effects noted. However, there is still a need for adequately powered randomised controlled trials.

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