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Recombinant human DNase in children with airway malacia and lower respiratory tract infection

Ruben Boogaard1, Johan C de Jongste, Anja A P H Vaessen-Verberne

  • 1Division of Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.boogaard@erasmusmc.nl

Pediatric Pulmonology
|September 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) did not improve respiratory symptoms or reduce antibiotic use in children with airway malacia and lower respiratory tract infection. This study found no significant benefits from rhDNase treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Children with airway malacia experience recurrent respiratory infections due to impaired mucociliary clearance from dynamic airway collapse.
  • Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in these children often lead to prolonged illness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of nebulized recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) in improving recovery from LRTI in pediatric patients with airway malacia.
  • To assess the impact of rhDNase on respiratory symptom scores and the need for antibiotic treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 40 children diagnosed with airway malacia and LRTI.
  • Participants received either nebulized rhDNase (2.5 mg) or placebo twice daily for two weeks.
  • Primary endpoint was the change in cough diary score; secondary endpoints included symptom scores, antibiotic use, and lung function.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant difference was observed in the change of cough diary scores between the rhDNase and placebo groups.
  • Proportions of patients requiring antibiotics and changes in other symptom scores and lung function parameters did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Two weeks of nebulized rhDNase treatment does not accelerate recovery from LRTI in children with airway malacia.
  • rhDNase did not reduce the need for antibiotic therapy in this patient population.
Abstract

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