Comparison of nebulized magnesium sulfate plus albuterol to nebulized albuterol plus saline in children with acute exacerbations of mild to moderate asthma

A prospective, randomized, double blinded study was conducted to determine whether a combination of nebulized magnesium sulfate and albuterol as a single dose adds any benefit in management of children with mild to moderate asthma when compared to nebulized albuterol with saline. The difference in FEV1 was significant at 10 and 20 min after a single dose of the combined treatment with magnesium and albuterol when compared with the albuterol and saline group (1.41 L +/- 0.53 vs. 1.13 L +/- 0.34, respectively, p = 0.03). The addition of magnesium to albuterol seems to provide short-term benefits in children with acute exacerbations of mild to moderate asthma.