Additive effects of dexamethasone in nebulized salbutamol or l-epinephrine treated infants with acute bronchiolitis

BACKGROUND: Although it is the most common lower respiratory infection of infancy, the optimal treatment for acute bronchiolitis is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the early and late effects of nebulized L-epinephrine (EPI) and intramuscular dexamethasone (DEX) combination therapy with nebulized salbutamol (SAL) and dexamethasone combination and bronchodilators alone in outpatients with acute bronchiolitis. METHODS: A total of 69 infants aged 2-21 months who were admitted to the Pediatrics Department of the Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, with acute bronchiolitis were included in a randomized, placebo-controlled, prospective trial study. Patients were assigned to receive either nebulized L-epinephrine (3 mg) or salbutamol (0.15 mg/kg) and 15 min later, either dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg or placebo (PLA), intramuscularly, in a double-blind randomized fashion. The study groups were: epinephrine + dexamethasone group (group 1, n=23), salbutamol + dexamethasone group (group 2, n=23), epinephrine + placebo group (group 3, n=11), and salbutamol + placebo group (group 4, n=12). The outcome measures were heart rate, respiratory rate and Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) score determined at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min, 24 h, and 5 days after the first therapy. Patients were then followed-up during the subsequent 2 months for the prevalance of respiratory complaints regarding bronchial hyperreactivity. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the outcome variables of the four groups within the first 120 min and at 24 hours, or between the rates of requirement of a second dose of the same bronchodilator. However, fifth day RDAI score values of both DEX groups were significantly lower than that of SAL + PLA group (P=0.000 and P=0.01, respectively). The fifth day score value of group 1 was also significantly better than that value of EPI + PLA group but not different from group 2. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone added to nebulized L-epinephrine, or salbutamol therapies resulted in better outcome measures than bronchodilators alone in the late phase (fifth day) of mild to moderate degree bronchiolitis attack. However, effects of EPI + DEX combination was not different from SAL + DEX combination.     

Comparative efficacy of oral dexamethasone versus oral prednisone in acute pediatric asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether 2 days of oral dexamethasone (DEX) is more effective than 5 days of oral prednisone/prednisolone (PRED) in improving symptoms and preventing relapse in children with acute asthma. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized trial of children (2 to 18 years old) who presented to the emergency department with acute asthma. PRED 2 mg/kg, maximum 60 mg (odd days) or DEX 0.6 mg/kg, maximum 16 mg (even days) was used. At discharge children in the PRED group were prescribed 4 daily doses (1 mg/kg/d, maximum 60 mg); children in the DEX group received a prepackaged dose (0.6 mg/kg, maximum 16 mg) to take the next day. The primary outcome was relapse within 10 days. RESULTS: When DEX was compared with PRED, relapse rates (7.4% of 272 vs 6.9% of 261), hospitalization rates from the emergency department (11% vs 12%) or after relapse (20% vs 17%), and symptom persistence at 10 days (22% vs 21%) were similar. In the PRED group more children were excluded for vomiting in the emergency department (3% vs 0.3%; P =.008), more parents were noncompliant (4% vs. 0.4%; P =.004), and more children missed > or =2 days of school (19.5% vs. 13.2%; P =.05). CONCLUSION: In children with acute asthma, 2 doses of dexamethasone provide similar efficacy with improved compliance and fewer side effects than 5 doses of prednisone.     

Randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial of oral albuterol in infants with mild-to-moderate acute viral bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether oral albuterol is effective in reducing symptomatology of acute viral bronchiolitis in infants with mild-to-moderate illness. STUDY DESIGN: In a randomized, double-blind trial, previously well infants were randomized upon discharge from the emergency department to receive either albuterol (0.1 mg/kg/dose) three times per day or placebo three times per day for 7 days. Daily standardized telephone interviews were conducted for as long as 14 days. The primary outcome was the time to resolution of illness. Secondary outcomes included time to normal feeding, normal sleeping, quiet breathing, resolved cough, and coryza. RESULTS: We studied 129 infants (albuterol, n = 64; placebo, n = 65). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The overall mean age was 5.3 months, 60% were male, and 49 of 61 tested infants were positive for respiratory syncytial virus. The median (95% confidence interval) time to resolution of illness (days) was similar: albuterol, 9.0 (8-13); placebo, 8.0 (7-9); P =.3) (log-rank test). There were no significant group differences in any secondary outcome. Health care revisit and admission rates were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant group differences in either primary or secondary outcomes in infants treated with oral albuterol versus placebo were found. The widespread use of oral albuterol in this patient group is not recommended.     

Assisted ventilation in infants with acute bronchiolitis

Our experience concerns 36 infants ventilated for bronchiolitis over the last five years. Among the infants admitted in the pediatric department during the same period 11% have been ventilated. Their age ranged between 1.5 and 49.5 weeks (mean 9.2 weeks) and their weight between 2,700 and 8,000 g (mean 3,841 g). Fourteen were premature born infants. 16 patients have been intubated for apneas, 13 for clinical deterioration and 10 for hypercarbia. The duration of ventilation ranged between 1 and 18 days (mean 6.5 days). No death occurred. Neither neurological nor respiratory sequelae could be related to ventilation. Mechanical ventilation is a safe method able to suppress mortality in infants bronchiolitis.     

Respirosonography in infants with acute bronchiolitis.

Respirosonography was used to analyze lung sounds and breathing patterns in 16 infants with acute bronchiolitis who were treated with nebulized salbutamol (albuterol). Wheezing was measured as a proportion of respiratory time (time spent wheezing [Tw]/total time [Ttot]). A decrease of 10% or greater in Tw/Ttot or a reduction in Tw/Ttot to less than 2% was considered a positive response to salbutamol. Seven infants responded to the salbutamol, and nine did not. In responders, Tw/Ttot decreased from 47% +/- 26% to 20% +/- 25% (mean +/- SD), and the respiratory rate decreased from 65 +/- 8 to 57 +/- 7 breaths per minute. In nonresponders, mean Tw/Ttot either did not change or increased, and there was no significant change in respiratory rate (53 +/- 10 breaths per minute before salbutamol inhalation and 56 +/- 9 breaths per minute after salbutamol inhalation). Complex repetitive waveforms, different from the sinusoidal waveforms of typical wheezing, were observed in 14 of 16 infants. Our findings add supportive evidence to the clinical impression that some infants with bronchiolitis respond to salbutamol. Respirosonography provides a noninvasive method for objective clinical assessment of young, wheezy children.     

Efficacy of adding nebulized ipratropium bromide to nebulized albuterol therapy in acute bronchiolitis.

Nebulized ipratropium bromide is though to be synergistic with albuterol in therapy for acute childhood asthma. Because the efficacy of ipratropium in bronchiolitis is uncertain and some infants with bronchiolitis do not respond to nebulized albuterol alone, the following study was undertaken. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 69 infants between 6 weeks and 24 months of age who exhibited the first episode of acute bronchiolitis were randomly assigned to receive either nebulized albuterol (0.15 mg/kg per dose) and ipratropium bromide (250 micrograms per dose) (group A, n = 36) or nebulized albuterol and normal saline (placebo) (group B, n = 33) for two doses, 1 hour apart. The two groups were comparable at baseline. Both therapies resulted in clinically significant improvement. However, the addition of ipratropium resulted in no additional benefit with respect to decrease in the respiratory rate (mean decreases 10.6/min vs decreases 8.6/min, P = .86), accessory muscle score (range 0 through 3) (decreases 0.92 vs decreases 0.82, z = -0.44), wheeze score (range 0 through 3) (decreases 0.94 vs 0.85, z = -0.20), oxygen saturation (increases 0.25% vs increases -0.33%, P = .86), or hospitalization rate (17 vs 10). The number of "nonresponders" and "clear responders" was also very similar in both groups. No toxicity was noted. The increase in heart rate was mild and similar in both groups (increases 6.7 vs increases 11.1). The power of the study to detect a difference between the two treatment groups in the respiratory rate change > or = 8/min is greater than 90%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of oral and inhaled salbutamol in infants with bronchiolitis

The response of bronchiolitis to bronchodilator drugs is controversial. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of oral or metered dose inhaler (MDI) salbutamol using a coffee cup as a spacer device in bronchiolitis. In the trial, 31 hospitalized patients between 6 and 24 months of age, who exhibited the first episode of acute bronchiolitis without any other predisposing illness such as cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease etc., were randomly assigned to receive oral salbutamol (n=11, 0.1 mg/kg per dose, four times a day), or MDI salbutamol (n = 12, 200 μg per dose, every 3 h) or formed the control group without any bronchodilator therapy (n = 8). All of the patients were given supplemental oxygen as needed and adequate hydration was maintained. The patients were evaluated with clinical symptom scores. There were no differences in the beneficial or side effects of salbutamol, or the number of days in hospital between the treatment groups and the control group. It was concluded that there is no beneficial effect in using bronchodilators in infants with bronchiolitis. Supplemental oxygen and maintenance of normal hydration may be adequate.     

Home oxygen for children with acute bronchiolitis

A prospective randomised controlled pilot study was performed comparing home oxygen therapy with traditional inpatient hospitalisation for children with acute bronchiolitis. Children aged 3-24 months with acute bronchiolitis, still requiring oxygen supplementation 24 h after admission to hospital, were randomly assigned to receive oxygen supplementation at home with support from "hospital in the home" (HiTH) or to continue oxygen supplementation in hospital. 44 children (26 male, mean age 9.2 months) were recruited (HiTH n = 22) between 1 August and 30 November 2007. Only one child from each group was readmitted to hospital and there were no serious complications. Children in the HiTH group spent almost 2 days less in a hospital bed than those managed as traditional inpatients: HiTH 55.2 h (interquartile range (IQR) 40.3-88.9) versus in hospital 96.9 h (IQR 71.2-147.2) p = 0.001. Home oxygen therapy appears to be a feasible alternative to traditional hospital oxygen therapy in selected children with acute bronchiolitis.     

Nebulized albuterol in acute bronchiolitis

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 infants between 6 weeks and 24 months of age who had a first episode of wheezing and other signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis were randomly assigned to receive either nebulized albuterol (0.15 mg/kg/dose) or placebo (saline solution) for two administrations 1 hour apart. The albuterol therapy resulted in a significantly greater improvement in the accessory muscle score (decreases 0.70 vs decreases 0.30; p = 0.03), oxygen saturation (increases 0.71% vs decreases 0.47%; p = 0.01) after one dose, and in the accessory muscle score (decreases 0.86 vs decreases 0.37; p = 0.02), respiratory rate (decreases 19.6% vs decreases 8.0%; p = 0.016), and oxygen saturation (increases 0.76% vs decreases 0.79%; p = 0.015) after two doses of the drug. The response to therapy was similar in infants younger and those older than 6 months of age. The heart rate rose slightly more in the albuterol group (increases 7.76 from baseline) versus the placebo group (decreases 6.79). There were no other side effects of the treatment. Of the 34 children from whom nasal specimens were obtained by swab for viral identification, 24 had positive test results (21 for respiratory syncytial virus, 1 for parainfluenza, 1 for paramyxovirus, and 1 for influenza A). We conclude that nebulized albuterol constitutes a safe and effective treatment of infants with bronchiolitis.     

Treatment of acute bronchiolitis with Chinese herbs.

In a randomised single blind trial the Chinese herbs Shuang Huang Lian were evaluated for the treatment of acute bronchiolitis. Children with acute bronchiolitis and serological evidence of recent respiratory syncytial virus infection were studied in a tertiary hospital in Harbin, China. The 96 children were randomised into three treatment groups: herbs, herbs with antibiotics, and antibiotics alone. The herbs were prepared by the medical school pharmacy and administered daily by intravenous infusion for seven days. The main outcomes, assessed blindly, were symptomatic improvement in cough, fever, wheezing, chest signs, and duration of stay in hospital. The mean duration of symptoms from the start of treatment was 6.2 (confidence interval 5.6 to 6.9) days in the two groups treated with herbs compared with 8.6 (confidence interval 7.5 to 9.8) days in the group treated with antibiotics alone. The mean reductions in duration of clinical manifestations for treatment with antibiotics alone compared with herbs were: from 3.1 to 1.5 days for fever, 9.1 to 6.1 days for cough, 6.5 to 4.1 days for wheezing, and 7.2 to 4.9 days for chest crackles. No adverse effect of Shuang Huang Lian herbal treatment was detected. In conclusion, this study confirms Chinese experience with Shuang Huang Lian that it is safe and effective, and warrants further study.     

Treatment of acute bronchiolitis in infants by oral suspension theophylline. Double-blind study in 62 children

The present study reviews 62 children who where admitted to the department of pediatrics for acute bronchiolitis. We adopted the following therapeutic protocol: treatments were applied randomly and we administered a fast action theophylline solution (Theophylline Bruneau R) or a placebo solution every six hours by oral route or stomach probe at 10 mg/kg between 2 and 6 months, 12 mg/kg between 6 and 12 months and 16 mg/kg between 12 and 24 months. Evaluations of theophylline levels were systematically carried out (immunoenzymatic method) for every infant on day 1, day 3, and day 4 two hours after morning administration and the results studied to see if any changes were necessary. This treatment was well tolerated. Statistical analysis was performed before removal of blind. The homogeneity of the two groups was respected if we considered ages (placebo group: 7.1 months +/- 1.0, theophylline group: 5.6 months +/- 0.6), the initial seriousness as evidenced by hypoxemia (placebo group 61 +/- 2 Torr, theophylline group: 58 +/- 3 Torr) hypercapnia (placebo group: 37.8 +/- 1.0, theophylline group: 35.5 +/- 2) and chest retractions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Management of respiratory failure in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis

Fifteen infants with acute viral bronchiolitis required mechanical ventilation. Infants were all aged less than 12 weeks and all had evidence of atelectasis or pneumonia on chest x-ray films. Respiratory syncytial virus was identified by immunofluorescence in 14 of 15 patients. Intubation and mechanical ventilation were initiated to reduce the work of breathing rather than to treat hypoxemia alone. Additional therapy included continuous positive airway pressure or positive end-expiratory pressure, sedation, aminophylline, diuretics, fluid restriction, and early feeding.     

Cardiovascular effects of acute bronchiolitis

Twenty-one children with normal hearts were studied during acute bronchiolitis. Doppler echocardiography showed tricuspid valve regurgitation in 11 patients, many of whom had evidence of raised pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Serial studies in those with severe infection showed that tricuspid regurgitation disappears with clinical improvement.     

The chest radiograph in acute bronchiolitis

The relationship between clinical severity, as judged by a clinical scoring method, and the degree of radiological change on a chest X-ray, was assessed in 153 children with acute bronchiolitis. There was no statistical correlation between clinical severity and the degree of radiological change. The majority of radiographs were requested on the assumption that it was a useful routine investigation. We suggest that the request for a chest X-ray in acute bronchiolitis should be made only when the need for intensive care is being considered, where there has been an unexpected deterioration in the child's condition or the child has an underlying cardiac or pulmonary disorder.