[Comparative clinical study of dexamethasone vs. nebulized salbutamol in acute bronchiolitis].
OBJECTIVE
Asess the efficacy of nebulized salbutamol and dexamethasone compared with nebulized salbutamol, in patients with bronchiolitis.


METHODS
A blinded clinical trial was performed with 49 patients between 1-18 months diagnosed with bronchiolitis with three days or less of disease evolution. Participant's parents signed an informed consent and patients did not receive prior medication. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: nebulized salbutamol or salbutamol plus dexamethasone, which they received every four hours during twenty-four hours. We measured heart and respiratory rate; respiratory distress index, oxygen saturation, and Silverman Andersen scores.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between groups for treatment response; but the frequency of hospital release at 24 hrs was significant among groups; 75 vs 96 % respectively (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of salbutamol plus dexamethasone is more effective in the control of respiratory distress in children with bronchiolitis compared with the use of salbutamol alone.
Gómez-y-López
Roberto Enrique
RE
Hospital General de Zona con Medicina Familiar 1, IMSS, San Luis Potosí, SLP, México.
Hernández-Sierra
Juan Francisco
JF
Torres-Ruvalcaba
Benito Antonio
BA
Martínez-Puente
Elsa
E
del Carmen Martínez-Garcia
Maria
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000420:Albuterol