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The role of ketotifen in children with recurrent bronchitis
Insights
Ketotifen effectively treated recurrent bronchitis in Thai children, significantly reducing cough, hypersecretion, and wheezing. The medication was well-tolerated, with drowsiness as the only reported side effect.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Recurrent bronchitis poses a significant health challenge in pediatric populations.
- Evaluating effective long-term management strategies for pediatric recurrent bronchitis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of ketotifen in treating recurrent bronchitis in Thai children.
- To evaluate the impact of ketotifen on symptom frequency, severity, and duration.
Main Methods:
- A one-year prospective study involving twenty Thai children (average age 5.3 years).
- Symptom scores (cough, hypersecretion, wheezing) and medication use were recorded.
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) was measured in children over 6 years old.
Main Results:
- Ketotifen treatment was rated as very good or good in 85% of children.
- Significant reduction in monthly symptom and medication scores compared to the previous year.
- Drowsiness was the sole reported side effect, occurring initially in a few cases.
Conclusions:
- Ketotifen demonstrates significant efficacy in managing recurrent bronchitis in children.
- The drug is well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile in the pediatric population.
- Ketotifen offers a promising therapeutic option for recurrent bronchitis in children.
Abstract:
The efficacy and safety of ketotifen in the treatment of recurrent bronchitis were studied in twenty Thai children with an average age of 5.3 years. Symptoms studied were cough, hypersecretion and wheezing and 4-point rating scores were assigned to each of the symptoms with regard to their frequency, severity and duration. Score per dose of the symptomatic agents used was also given. The symptoms and the use of symptomatic agents were recorded during a full year prior to ketotifen treatment and during a further full year study period. PEFR measurement was performed in the children above the age of 6 years at 2-weekly intervals under the supervision of the authors at the clinic. Assessment of efficacy was done by comparing monthly symptom scores and medication scores during the study period with the mean value of the previous year. Thirteen children received ketotifen for the whole year while seven children who were almost symptom-free after 4 months ketotifen treatment, were then only observed for a further 8 months. At the end of the study period, ketotifen treatment was rated very good and good in 85% of children, satisfactory in 10% and poor in 5%. Drowsiness was the only side-effect reported in a few cases but then only initially. There were no abnormalities in any laboratory parameters studied.