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Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate for Acute Bronchiolitis: Evaluation of the Effect on Clinical Course and Outcomes
Nihan Şık1, Hale Çitlenbik1, Ali Öztürk1
1Division of Pediatric Emergency Care, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
Insights
Intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) effectively treated moderate to severe bronchiolitis in infants. This treatment improved clinical severity, reduced respiratory support needs, and shortened hospital stays for affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Bronchiolitis is a common viral respiratory infection in infants.
- Current treatments for moderate to severe bronchiolitis are limited.
- Magnesium sulfate is explored for its potential bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) in treating moderate to severe bronchiolitis in children.
- To compare clinical outcomes in infants receiving IV MgSO4 versus those who did not.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study conducted in a pediatric emergency department.
- Included children aged 1-24 months with moderate/severe bronchiolitis (mRDAI score).
- Compared patients receiving IV MgSO4 (40 mg/kg/dose) with a control group.
Main Results:
- IV MgSO4 significantly decreased respiratory rate and mRDAI scores within 2 hours, with sustained effects up to 12 hours.
- Patients receiving IV MgSO4 required less respiratory support, including earlier initiation of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy.
- The IV MgSO4 group experienced a shorter hospital stay compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous magnesium sulfate is an effective treatment for moderate to severe bronchiolitis in infants.
- MgSO4 improves clinical severity, reduces the need for respiratory support, and shortens hospital stays.
- IV MgSO4 offers a promising therapeutic option for hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) for children with bronchiolitis. A retrospective cohort study was performed at a pediatric emergency department. Aged between 1 and 24 months, children with moderate/severe bronchiolitis according to the Modified Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (mRDAI) score were included. Patients who received 40 mg/kg/dose of IV MgSO4 (group 1, n: 74) or not (group 2, n: 33) were compared. Respiratory rate and mRDAI score significantly decreased at the second hour of MgSO4 treatment and the decrease was observed for 4th, 8th, and 12th hours, compared with group 2. Patients in group 2 had a higher rate of requirement and an earlier start high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy and a longer hospital stay than group 1. Intravenous MgSO4 provided significant improvement on clinical severity, need for respiratory support, length of hospital stay, and outcomes.
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