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Short-time response characteristics of salbutamol in infants with broncho-pulmonary diseases
R Kraemer1, P Birrer, F H Sennhauser
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Insights
Systemic salbutamol significantly improved lung function in infants with broncho-pulmonary diseases by reducing pulmonary hyperinflation and airway obstruction. Further research is needed to determine if nebulized beta agonists yield similar therapeutic effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Infants with broncho-pulmonary diseases often experience pulmonary hyperinflation and airway obstruction.
- Systemic administration of bronchodilators is a potential therapeutic strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of systemic salbutamol on lung function in infants with various broncho-pulmonary diseases.
- To assess the therapeutic efficacy of salbutamol in improving pulmonary hyperinflation and airway resistance.
Main Methods:
- Whole-body plethysmography was used to measure lung function in 60 infants.
- Participants included infants with respiratory distress syndrome, wheezy bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis.
- Systemic salbutamol (0.225 mg/kg) was administered.
Main Results:
- A therapeutic effect was observed in 74% of tests.
- Significant decrease in thoracic gas volume, indicating reduced pulmonary hyperinflation.
- Significant improvement in airway resistance, suggesting bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and increased airway diameter.
Conclusions:
- Systemic salbutamol demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in improving lung function in infants with broncho-pulmonary diseases.
- The drug effectively reduces pulmonary hyperinflation and airway obstruction.
- The potential for topical administration of nebulized beta-agonists requires further investigation.
Abstract:
The effects of salbutamol 0.225 mg/kg given systemically on lung function in infants have been measured by whole-body plethysmography in 60 children with broncho-pulmonary diseases (24 after respiratory distress syndrome, 21 with wheezy bronchitis and 15 with cystic fibrosis). A therapeutic action was demonstrated in 74% of the tests, taking into account changes in end-expiratory resting level (state of inflation) and associated changes in airway resistance. There was a significant decrease in thoracic gas volume as an estimate of pulmonary hyperinflation, which was due to improved alveolar ventilation and to a consequential decrease in end-expiratory resting level. The improvement in airway resistance, as an estimate of airway obstruction, reflects a substantial relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle increasing the diameter of the airways. The extent to which similar results may be achieved by topical administration of nebulised beta agonists remains to be determined.