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The effect of age on bronchodilator responsiveness
D J Turner1, L I Landau, P N LeSouëf
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia.
Pediatric Pulmonology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Younger asthmatic children show a lower bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) compared to older children. This suggests that the effectiveness of bronchodilators like salbutamol increases with age in pediatric asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Asthma Research
Background:
- Bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in pediatric asthma is crucial for treatment.
- Objective assessment of BDR in relation to age in children is limited.
- Understanding age-related BDR can optimize asthma management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between age and BDR in young asthmatic children.
- To utilize objective dose-response curves (DRC) for assessing BDR.
- To determine if age influences the magnitude and plateau of bronchodilator response.
Main Methods:
- Studied 14 asthmatic children (3-9 years) with FEV1 < 80% predicted.
- Administered a salbutamol (albuterol) dose-response curve (DRC) with 5 doses over 75 minutes.
- Measured FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75, SaO2, and HR before and after each dose.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in lung function (FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75), SaO2, and HR after salbutamol administration.
- A significant positive correlation between age and BDR for FEV1 and FVC.
- Bronchodilator response plateaued in younger children but not in older children.
Conclusions:
- Bronchodilator responsiveness in young asthmatic children significantly increases with age.
- Older children exhibit a greater and more sustained response to bronchodilators.
- Age is a key factor influencing bronchodilator efficacy in pediatric asthma.