Bronchodilation in infants with malacia or recurrent wheeze.
BACKGROUND
Controversy remains regarding the effectiveness of bronchodilators in wheezy infants.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of inhaled beta(2) agonists on lung function in infants with malacia or recurrent wheeze, and to determine whether a negative effect of beta(2) agonists on forced expiratory flow (V'(maxFRC)) is more pronounced in infants with airway malacia, compared to infants with wheeze.


METHODS
We retrospectively analysed lung function data of 27 infants: eight with malacia, 19 with recurrent wheeze. Mean (SD) age was 51 (18) weeks. Mean V'(maxFRC) (in Z score) was assessed before and after inhalation of beta(2) agonists.


RESULTS
Baseline V'(maxFRC) was below reference values for both groups. Following inhalation of beta(2) agonists the mean (95% CI) change in mean V'(maxFRC) in Z scores was -0.10 (-0.26 to 0.05) and -0.33 (-0.55 to -0.11) for the malacia and wheeze group, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In infants with wheeze, inhaled beta(2) agonists caused a significant reduction in mean V'(maxFRC). Infants with malacia were not more likely to worsen after beta(2) agonists than were infants with recurrent wheeze.
Hofhuis
W
W
Department of Paediatrics, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands. hofhuis@alkg.azr.nl
van der Wiel
E C
EC
Tiddens
H A W M
HA
Brinkhorst
G
G
Holland
W P J
WP
de Jongste
J C
JC
Merkus
P J F M
PJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013726:Terbutaline; D000420:Albuterol