title: Inhaled salbutamol plus ipratropium in moderate and severe asthma crises in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The combination of inhaled β(2) agonists and anticholinergics is recommended for children with acute asthma, although there are few randomized controlled trials. The aim of the study was to determine whether salbutamol plus ipratropium bromide improves oxygenation and lung function and reduces the frequency of hospitalization in children with asthma crises.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomized, double-blind study of children aged 2-18 years with moderate to severe asthma crises. Patients were evaluated using the asthma score and spirometry. They received six nebulizations of salbutamol plus placebo or salbutamol plus ipratropium and were reevaluated at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes, at which time it was decided whether they were to be admitted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 97 patients completed the study, 49 in the salbutamol plus ipratropium group and 48 in the salbutamol-only group. There were no differences in the status at baseline between the two groups. Children treated with salbutamol plus ipratropium presented a greater improvement in clinical state and lung function and required hospitalization less frequently (18.4%) than children in the salbutamol group (43.8%) (p = .007). Improvement was more marked in children with severe asthma crises than in those with moderate crises. The effect of salbutamol plus ipratropium was similar in children over 8 years of age and in younger children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salbutamol plus ipratropium bromide improves lung function in asthmatic children with moderate to severe asthma crises, independently of age. The effect is greater in children with severe crises, with a substantial reduction in the need for hospitalization.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Unit, Emergency Department, Maternity-Children's Hospital, Asunción National University Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iramain
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-Herce
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coronel
authors.forename: Cristopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spitters
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guggiari
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bogado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009241:Ipratropium; D000420:Albuterol; D010100:Oxygen