[Nebulized budesonide to treat acute asthma in children].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of a single dose of inhaled budesonide as compared to oral prednisone in patients with acute asthma.


METHODS
Randomized double-blind, double-dummy and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Forty-nine children aged 2 to 7 years with acute asthma were randomized in three groups after receiving nebulized salbutamol (0.15 mg/kg). Group I received placebo both as tablets and nebulization, group II was treated with a single dose of oral prednisone (1 mg/kg) and inhaled placebo, and group III received a single dose of placebo tablet and nebulized budesonide (2 mg). Patients were evaluated in terms of symptom score and transcutaneous hemoglobin saturation. Nebulized salbutamol was repeated in case of increasing symptom score or lower saturation.


RESULTS
Progressive clinical improvement was observed in all three groups. However, a significant increase in hemoglobin saturation was observed after 2 hours with prednisone, 4 hours with budesonide, and 24 hours with placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
A combination of single-dose nebulized budesonide and salbutamol may be as effective as oral prednisone to improve symptom severity, but the latter increases hemoglobin saturation in exacerbation of asthma.
Milani
Geórgia K M
GK
Departmento de Pediatria, UFPR, Curitiba, PR.
Rosário Filho
Nelson A
NA
Riedi
Carlos A
CA
Figueiredo
Bonald C
BC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D019819:Budesonide; D000420:Albuterol