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Terbutaline aerosol in the long-term treatment of asthmatic children
Insights
Terbutaline aerosol therapy safely improved respiratory function in children with asthma over 50 weeks. This bronchodilator showed no adverse effects on growth or vital signs, proving its efficacy for long-term asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting children.
- Regular bronchodilator therapy is crucial for managing pediatric asthma.
- Terbutaline is a commonly used bronchodilator, but its long-term safety in children requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of regular daily terbutaline aerosol therapy in asthmatic children.
- To evaluate the impact of terbutaline on growth, hematological, hepatic, and cardiovascular parameters.
- To determine the acute effects of terbutaline on respiratory function in symptom-free asthmatic children.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 10 asthmatic children receiving daily terbutaline aerosol for 50 weeks.
- Assessment of growth, bone marrow, liver function, and cardiovascular parameters.
- Acute experiments in 12 symptom-free asthmatic children to measure respiratory function changes (FEV1, MMEF25-75%, FVC, PEF) after terbutaline administration.
Main Results:
- No adverse effects were observed on growth, bone marrow, liver function, or the cardiovascular system.
- Consistent improvement in respiratory function was noted throughout the 50-week treatment period.
- Acute administration of terbutaline led to rapid and sustained bronchodilation without affecting pulse rate.
Conclusions:
- Regular daily terbutaline aerosol therapy is safe and effective for asthmatic children aged 7 to 14 years.
- Terbutaline demonstrates a favorable safety profile for long-term use in pediatric asthma.
- The study supports the use of terbutaline as a regular bronchodilator for improving respiratory function in children with asthma.
Abstract:
Ten asthmatic children received regular daily therapy with terbutaline aerosol for 50 weeks. No evidence was found for adverse effects of this drug on growth, bone marrow, liver function or the cardiovascular system. All children had improved respiratory function throughout the year. In acute experiments carried out in 12 symptom-free asthmatic children with 0.5 mg terbutaline, it was demonstrated that the improvement in respiratory function, i.e. increase in FEV1, MMEF25-75%, FVC and PEF, was quick in onset, was maintained for at least 60 min and was not accompanied by effects on pulse rate. Thus, the bronchodilator aerosol, terbutaline, can be safely used as a regular daily therapy in asthmatic children aged 7 to 14 years.