AIM:To analyze the evolution in the management of airway infantile hemangioma(AIH)and to report the results from 3 pediatric tertiary care institutions.METHODS:A retrospective study of patients with diagnosis of AIH and treated in 3 pediatric tertiary care institutions from 1996 to 2014 was performed.RESULTS:Twenty-three patients with diagnosis of AIH were identified.Mean age at diagnosis was 6 mo(range,1-27).Single therapy was indicated in 16 patients and 7 patients received combined therapy.Two therapeutic groups were identified:Group A included 14 patients who were treated with steroids,interferon,laser therapy and/or surgery;group B included 9 patients treated with oral propranolol.In group A,oral corticosteroids were used in 9 patients with a good response in 3 cases(no requiring other therapeutic option),the other patients required additional treatment options.Cushing syndrome was observed in 3 patients.One patient died of a fulminant sepsis.Open surgical excision and endoscopic therapy were performed in 11 patients(in 5 of them as a single treatment)with a response rate of 54.5%.Stridor persisted in 2 cases,and one patient died during the clinical course of bronchial aspiration.In group B,oral propranolol was used in 9 patients(in 8 of them as a single treatment)with a response rate of 100%,with an mean treatment duration of 7 mo(range,5-10);complications were not observed.CONCLUSION:Our experience and the medical literature support the use of propranolol as a first line of treatment in AIH.