Continuous terbutaline nebulization for the treatment of severe exacerbations of asthma in children

Twelve children with severe asthma were treated in an intensive care unit with continuously nebulized terbutaline at doses between 1.0 and 12.0 mg/hour. All patients showed improvement in blood gases, pulse, and respiratory rates. None experience significant side effects. The duration of therapy ranged from 1 to 24 hours (mean = 8.3 hours), and all were able to leave the intensive care unit within one day. The use of continuously nebulized terbutaline appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of severe asthma in children in this limited experience.