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Published on: May 10, 2024
Anti-cholinergic drugs for wheeze in children under the age of two years
M L Everard1, A Bara, M Kurian
1Department of Paediatrics, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK, S10 2TH. m.l.everard@sheffield.ac.uk
Insights
Anti-cholinergic therapy for infant wheeze shows mixed results. While parents perceive benefits at home, evidence doesn't support its widespread use without further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Infant wheeze is common, often triggered by viral infections, and its increasing incidence is noted.
- Treatment for wheezing infants is debated, with anti-cholinergic use varying widely.
- The efficacy of anti-cholinergic therapy in young children with wheeze requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of anti-cholinergic therapy in treating wheezing infants.
- To compare anti-cholinergic agents with placebo and beta2-agonists.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Searched Cochrane Airways Group trials register and contacted researchers.
- Included RCTs comparing anti-cholinergics with placebo or beta2-agonists in children under two years, excluding those with acute bronchiolitis or chronic lung disease.
Main Results:
- Six trials with 321 infants were analyzed.
- Combination therapy (ipratropium bromide and beta2-agonist) reduced the need for additional treatment but showed no difference in emergency department outcomes.
- No significant difference in hospital stay was observed, but combined therapy improved clinical scores at 24 hours compared to placebo. Parents reported home symptom relief.
Conclusions:
- Insufficient evidence exists to universally recommend anti-cholinergic therapy for wheezing infants.
- Parents reported perceived benefits of anti-cholinergic use at home.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of anti-cholinergics in infant wheeze management.
Background:
Wheeze in infancy and early childhood is common and appears to be increasing though the magnitude of any increase is unclear. Most wheezing episodes in infancy are precipitated by respiratory viral infections. Treatment of very young children with wheeze remains controversial. Anti-cholinergics are often prescribed but practice varies widely and the efficacy of this form of therapy remains the subject for debate.
Objectives:
Wheeze in infancy and early childhood is common and appears to be increasing. Most wheezing episodes in infancy are a result of viral infection. Bronchodilator medications such as beta2-agonists and anti-cholinergic agents are often used to relieve symptoms, but patterns of use vary. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of anti-cholinergic therapy in the treatment of wheezing infants.
Search Strategy:
We searched the Cochrane Airways Group trials register and the reference lists of articles. We contacted researchers in the field and industry sources.
Selection Criteria:
Randomised trials that compared anti-cholinergic therapy with placebo or beta2-agonists in wheezing children under two years of age. Children with acute bronchiolitis and chronic lung disease were excluded.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Eligibility for inclusion and quality of trials were assessed independently by two reviewers.
Main Results:
Six trials involving 321 infants in three different settings were included. Compared with beta2-agonist alone, the combination of ipratropium bromide and beta2-agonist was associated with a reduced need for additional treatment, but no difference was seen in treatment response, respiratory rate or oxygen saturation improvement in the emergency department. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay between ipratropium bromide and placebo; or between ipratropium bromide and beta2-agonist combined compared with beta2-agonist alone. However, combined ipratropium bromide and beta2-agonist compared to placebo showed significantly improved clinical scores at 24 hours. Parents preferred ipratropium bromide over nebulised water or placebo for relief of their children's symptoms at home.
Reviewer'S Conclusions:
There is not enough evidence to support the uncritical use of anti-cholinergic therapy for wheezing infants, although parents using it at home were able to identify benefits.
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