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Is oral albuterol effective for acute cough in non-asthmatic children?
D W Bernard1, J G Goepp, A K Duggan
1Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Insights
Oral albuterol did not reduce cough duration or frequency in children without asthma. However, it did cause more shaking and trembling in these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute cough is a common pediatric symptom.
- The efficacy of oral bronchodilators for acute cough in non-asthmatic children is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of oral albuterol in treating acute cough in children without a history of asthma.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 59 non-asthmatic children with acute cough.
- Participants received either oral albuterol or a placebo for 7 days.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in the rate of acute cough resolution between the albuterol and placebo groups.
- Increased incidence of shaking or trembling observed in the albuterol group (5/30 vs 0/29; p = 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Oral albuterol is not effective in reducing the frequency or duration of acute cough in ambulatory children without asthma and a normal chest examination.
- Albuterol treatment was associated with adverse effects like shaking and trembling in this population.
Abstract:
Fifty-nine non-asthmatic children with acute cough were randomized to receive oral albuterol or placebo for 7 d. There was a similar, rapid rate of resolution of acute cough for the two groups, but more shaking or trembling in those treated with albuterol (5/30 vs 0/29; p = 0.05). In ambulatory children with acute cough who have no history of asthma and a normal chest examination, oral albuterol does not reduce the frequency or duration of cough.