Short-term effect of albuterol, delivered via a new auxiliary device, in wheezy infants.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the response of lung function to albuterol, topically administered by a metered-dose inhaler (MD) through a baby-adapted auxiliary device, was evaluated in 36 wheezy infants (1.6 to 25.2 months of age; median 8.1 months). The auxiliary device contains an air chamber of 350 ml and two low-resistant valves separating the inspiratory from the expiratory line. After baseline lung function measurements by infant whole-body plethysmography, the patients were randomly assigned to inhale either three times two puffs albuterol (100 micrograms/puff) or three times two puffs placebo at 5-min intervals. Changes in the degree of pulmonary hyperinflation, estimated by thoracic gas volume (TGV) and/or in the degree of bronchial obstruction, estimated by thoracic gas volume (TGV) and/or in the degree of bronchial obstruction, estimated by airway conductance (Gaw), were measured at 5-min intervals for up to 30 min. TGV and Gaw were expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS) of values predicted, and patients improving TGV and/or Gaw more than 2 SD were considered responders. In comparison with placebo, a significant percentage improvement in TGV (by the mean 26 to 53%) and a significant percentage improvement in Gaw (by the mean 34 to 51%) could be found in the active treatment groups. The study documents the usefulness of a new auxiliary device for the administration of aerosolized bronchodilators to wheezy infants.
Kraemer
R
R
Department of Pediatrics, University of Berne, Inselspital, Switzerland.
Frey
U
U
Sommer
C W
CW
Russi
E
E
D000336:Aerosols; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D000336:Aerosols; D000420:Albuterol