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[Nebulized budesonide to treat acute asthma in children]

Geórgia K M Milani1, Nelson A Rosário Filho, Carlos A Riedi

  • 1Departmento de Pediatria, UFPR, Curitiba, PR.

Jornal De Pediatria
|April 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A single dose of inhaled budesonide with salbutamol effectively reduced asthma symptoms in children. However, oral prednisone showed a faster increase in hemoglobin saturation compared to budesonide.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Acute asthma exacerbations in children require prompt and effective treatment.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids are common treatment options.
  • Comparing the efficacy of different delivery methods and agents is crucial for optimizing care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of a single dose of inhaled budesonide versus oral prednisone in pediatric patients with acute asthma.
  • To evaluate symptom severity and hemoglobin saturation changes following treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 49 children (2-7 years) with acute asthma.
  • Participants received nebulized salbutamol followed by either placebo, oral prednisone, or nebulized budesonide.
  • Clinical outcomes assessed included symptom scores and transcutaneous hemoglobin saturation.

Main Results:

  • All treatment groups showed progressive clinical improvement.
  • Oral prednisone led to a significant increase in hemoglobin saturation after 2 hours.
  • Nebulized budesonide showed a significant increase in hemoglobin saturation after 4 hours, while placebo took 24 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Single-dose nebulized budesonide combined with salbutamol may be comparable to oral prednisone in improving asthma symptom severity.
  • Oral prednisone demonstrated a more rapid improvement in hemoglobin saturation.
  • Further research may explore optimal dosing and delivery strategies for inhaled corticosteroids in acute pediatric asthma.
Abstract

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