Treatment of congenital generalized lymphangiectasia with propranolol in a preterm infant.

Generalized lymphangiectasia is a rare congenital disorder characterized by dilated lymphatic vessels with a fatal prognosis, especially in cases with thoracic involvement. We describe the use of propranolol in the therapy of generalized lymphangiectasia in a preterm infant with hydrops fetalis. Propranolol was well tolerated and effective within the first months. It remains to be shown whether propranolol is a treatment option for infants with generalized lymphangiectasia.