title: Inhaled nedocromil sodium in symptomatic young children born prematurely.
abstract: The efficacy of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (nedocromil sodium, NS) has been assessed in young children born prematurely who had recurrent respiratory symptoms at follow-up. In a randomized, double-blind cross-over trial, either two puffs of NS (2 mg puff-1) or placebo were administered three times a day via a spacer device and face mask. Fifteen children, median gestational age 27 weeks, birthweight 1100 g and postnatal age 12 months were studied. The symptom score was lower in the last 2 weeks of the active period (median score 26) compared to the run-in period (median score 55) and the last 2 weeks of the placebo period (median score 50), P < 0.01. The maximum possible symptom score for a 2-week period was 210. Compared to the run-in period, children required fewer days of bronchodilator therapy in the last 2 weeks of the active treatment (P < 0.01), but not in the placebo period. Although results of functional residual capacity (FRC) measurements were available on only 13 of the 15 children, these did demonstrate a significant change in FRC over the active, but not the placebo, period. These data suggest that NS is a useful prophylactic agent for children born prematurely and who are symptomatic at follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yüksel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greenough
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D017835:Nedocromil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012115:Residual Volume; D012135:Respiratory Sounds
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D017835:Nedocromil