Related Experiment Videos
Inhaled sodium cromoglycate for pre-term children with respiratory symptoms at follow-up
1Department of Child Health, King's College Hospital, London, U.K.
Insights
Inhaled sodium cromoglycate significantly reduced respiratory symptoms and bronchodilator use in premature infants. This prophylaxis improved lung function, offering a beneficial treatment for recurrent respiratory issues in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Neonatology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Premature infants often experience recurrent respiratory symptoms post-discharge.
- Bronchodilator therapy is commonly used but may not address underlying inflammation.
- Preventive strategies are needed to reduce respiratory morbidity in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of regular inhaled sodium cromoglycate in reducing respiratory symptoms and bronchodilator use.
- To assess the impact of sodium cromoglycate on lung function in symptomatic preterm children.
- To determine if inhaled sodium cromoglycate serves as a useful prophylaxis against respiratory morbidity.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 16 symptomatic preterm children.
- Two 3-week treatment periods with either placebo or sodium cromoglycate (5 mg, q.d.s.) via inhaler.
- Parental recording of symptoms and bronchodilator use, with lung function (FRC) measured pre- and post-period.
Main Results:
- A 49% reduction in symptom scores with sodium cromoglycate compared to placebo (P < 0.01).
- Significantly less bronchodilator use: 2.9 days/infant (active) vs. 7.9 days/infant (placebo) (P < 0.01).
- Improved functional residual capacity (FRC) in 10/16 patients during the active treatment period (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Regular inhaled sodium cromoglycate is effective in managing recurrent respiratory symptoms in preterm children.
- It reduces the need for bronchodilator therapy and improves lung function.
- Sodium cromoglycate represents a beneficial prophylactic treatment option for symptomatic preterm infants.
Abstract:
Children born prematurely frequently have recurrent respiratory symptoms at follow-up and benefit from bronchodilator therapy. We have assessed if regular inhaled sodium cromoglycate would reduce this respiratory morbidity and need for bronchodilator therapy. Sixteen symptomatic children (median gestational age 29 weeks, post-natal age 15 months) were entered into a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. In two 3-week periods, the patients received either placebo or sodium cromoglycate (5 mg) as one puff q.d.s. from an inhaler via a coffee cup. Parents recorded their child's symptoms and need for bronchodilator therapy throughout and lung function was assessed by measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC) at the beginning and end of each 3-week period. The symptom score was reduced by 49% in the active compared to the placebo period (P less than 0.01) and bronchodilator was taken on a mean of 2.9 days per infant in the active period compared to 7.9 days in the placebo period (P less than 0.01). There was a significant improvement in FRC in ten of 16 patients over the active period but only in two infants over the placebo period (P less than 0.01). We conclude regular inhaled sodium cromoglycate is useful prophylaxis for symptomatic pre-term children.