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Inhaled salbutamol for wheezy infants: a randomised controlled trial
R J Chavasse1, Y Bastian-Lee, H Richter
1The Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children, Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 3JN, UK. rah@mistral.co.uk
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|May 9, 2000
Summary
Salbutamol did not significantly improve symptoms or lung function in wheezy infants with atopy. This study suggests salbutamol is not the preferred bronchodilator for this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Salbutamol is a common bronchodilator for infant wheezing.
- Previous studies have raised questions about its efficacy in single doses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of salbutamol in wheezy infants.
- To determine if salbutamol provides symptomatic relief or a protective effect in this population.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 80 infants under one year with recurrent wheeze and atopy.
- Infants received either salbutamol (200 microg TID) or placebo for four weeks, with symptom diaries and pulmonary function tests.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in daily symptom scores or symptom-free days between salbutamol and placebo.
- Pulmonary function tests showed no improvement; airway resistance increased post-salbutamol.
- Individual patient responses via symptom scores did not correlate with pulmonary function results.
Conclusions:
- Salbutamol demonstrated no significant benefit for clinical symptoms or pulmonary function in wheezy infants with an atopic background.
- Pulmonary function tests could not predict clinical response.
- Salbutamol is not recommended as a first-line bronchodilator for infants with wheeze and atopy.