Efficacy of bronchodilators in the treatment of bronchiolitis.
Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection affecting young children. Much controversy revolves around the efficacy of bronchodilators in the treatment of bronchiolitis. This study was conducted to address this issue.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of bronchodilators in the treatment of bronchiolitis.


METHODS
All children less than 2 years old with bronchiolitis were randomly assigned to receive nebulisations of Salbutamol, Ipratropium bromide or normal saline. A fourth group given only humidified oxygen without nebulisation were used as a control.


RESULTS
Data were obtained for 120 patients. Fifty-one (42%) had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolated from their nasopharyngeal aspirates. The demographic characteristics of the 4 groups were similar. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of severity score, number of nebulisations required in the nebulised groups and the outcome as measured by the length of hospitalisation.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of bronchodilators did not alter the course of the disease and is therefore not effective in the treatment of bronchiolitis.
Goh
A
A
Department of Paediatrics, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Chay
O M
OM
Foo
A L
AL
Ong
E K
EK
D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D009241:Ipratropium; D000420:Albuterol