Ketotifen in the management of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
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F F Rubaltelli1, C Dani, C Z Meneguzzo
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Italy.
Insights
Ketotifen, a histamine (H1) antagonist, improved respiratory symptoms and reduced medication needs in infants with chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study found ketotifen safe and effective for managing BPD-related airway hyperreactivity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in infants characterized by bronchial hyperreactivity.
- Histamine plays a role in inflammatory processes contributing to airway hyperreactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ketotifen in managing chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infants.
- To assess the impact of ketotifen on respiratory symptoms and medication requirements in infants with BPD.
Main Methods:
- An open randomized trial was conducted over 6 months.
- Infants with chronic BPD were treated with ketotifen.
- Efficacy was measured using respiratory symptom and medication scores.
Main Results:
- Ketotifen treatment significantly reduced respiratory symptom scores compared to the control group.
- Medication scores were significantly lower in infants treated with ketotifen.
- No adverse clinical or biochemical effects were observed during ketotifen treatment.
Conclusions:
- Ketotifen is an effective and safe therapeutic option for infants suffering from chronic BPD.
- Ketotifen can help manage airway hyperreactivity and reduce the need for other antiasthmatic medications in BPD patients.
Abstract:
Ketotifen, a histamine (H1) antagonist, inhibits PAF-induced eosinophil accumulation and airway hyperreactivity. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a complex disorder in which bronchial hyperreactivity is usually present. An open randomized trial was carried out with this agent in infants with chronic BPD who were followed up for 6 months. The efficacy of the drug was evaluated according to respiratory symptom and medication scores, in which numerical values were assigned to various other antiasthmatic agents used to control wheezing. No adverse clinical or biochemical sequelae were noted during treatment. The mean respiratory symptom and mean medication scores were significantly higher worse in the control group in comparison with the infants treated with ketotifen.