Related Experiment Videos
Efficacy of cromoglycate in persistently wheezing infants
S Furfaro1, S Spier, S P Drblik
1Department of Pulmonology, Hôpital Ste Justine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Insights
Cromoglycate did not effectively treat persistent wheezing in infants under one year old. This study found no significant difference in symptom scores or respiratory function compared to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Persistent wheezing is a common respiratory issue in infants.
- Effective treatments for persistent wheezing in infants are crucial for long-term respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of (sodium) cromoglycate in treating persistent wheezing in infants aged 4-12 months.
- To compare cromoglycate's effectiveness against a placebo in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
- 31 infants received either 40 mg of cromoglycate or placebo via wet nebulization three times daily for six weeks.
- Evaluations included daily symptom scores and respiratory function testing (VmaxFRC).
Main Results:
- Baseline symptom scores and VmaxFRC were comparable between the cromoglycate and placebo groups.
- No significant differences in symptom scores or VmaxFRC were observed between groups post-treatment.
- Cromoglycate showed no superior efficacy over placebo.
Conclusions:
- 40 mg of cromoglycate administered three times daily via wet nebulization is not more effective than placebo for persistent wheezing in infants under one year.
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative treatments for persistent infant wheezing.
Abstract:
A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of (sodium) cromoglycate in the treatment of persistent wheezing in 31 children between 4 and 12 months of age. The subjects were randomised to receive either 40 mg of cromoglycate (n = 16) or physiological saline as placebo (n = 15) three times a day by wet nebulisation in a double blind fashion for a period of six weeks. The patients were evaluated with daily symptom scores and respiratory function testing measuring maximal expiratory flow at functional residual capacity (VmaxFRC) before initiating treatment and upon completion. At baseline, mean (SD) symptom scores between the two groups were comparable (cromoglycate 99.5 (29.8), placebo 104.5 (29.7)) as were VmaxFRC expressed as per cent of predicted normals (cromoglycate 48 (28), placebo 46 (20)). Upon completion of the treatment protocol, no significant difference could be found between the two groups for either symptom score (cromoglycate 67.6 (40.2), placebo 58.6 (41.4)), or VmaxFRC (cromoglycate 52 (24), placebo 60 (32)). It is concluded, therefore, that 40 mg of cromoglycate three times a day administered via facemask and wet nebulisation was no more effective than placebo in the treatment of our sample of persistently wheezing infants under 1 year of age.