Successful combination therapy of propranolol and prednisolone for a case with congenital Kasabach-Merritt syndrome

J Dermatol. 2017 Dec;44(12):1389-1391. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.13984. Epub 2017 Aug 3.

Abstract

A male fetus was delivered by cesarean section with a large hemangioma on his right chest and thrombocytopenia. Clinically, Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS) was suspected, and immediately he was treated with daily prednisolone (PSL) 1 mg/kg and recombinant thrombomodulin without response. Additional propranolol (1-3 mg/kg per day) and increased PSL 2 mg/kg per day therapy successfully controlled his disseminated intravascular coagulation and decreased the tumor size without serious side-effects. No relapse of KMS was observed after cease of PSL and propranolol. Combined use of propranolol and corticosteroid is expected as a candidate therapeutic tool for KMS.

Keywords: Kasabach-Merritt syndrome; hemangioma; prednisolone; propranolol; thrombocytopenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / congenital
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use*
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Prednisolone
  • Propranolol