title: Pidotimod may prevent recurrent respiratory infections in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) constitute a social problem for both the pharmaco-economic impact and the burden for the family. Pidotimod is a synthetic immunostimulant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pidotimod on RRI prevention in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Globally, 100 children (49 males, mean age 4.7 ± 1.2 years) with RRI were enrolled in the study. At baseline, children were randomly assigned to the treatment with pidotimod 400 mg/die or not for two months. Children were visited at baseline, after 30 (T1) and 60 (T2) days, and at follow-up (120 days; T3). Number of children with upper and lower airways symptoms, medications use, school attendance, and paediatric visits for RRI were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pidotimod treatment was able of significantly reducing the number of children with upper and lower airways symptoms, and medications use, increasing school attendance, and reducing pediatric visits for RRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided the evidence that pidotimod may be able of preventing RRI in children.
authors.affiliation: Immuno‑Pneumo‑Allergy Unit Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo, Pavia, Italy - gl.marseglia@smatteo.pv.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Licari
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Amici
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nigrisoli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caimmi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Artusio
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Marseglia
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D053778:Thiazolidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D053778:Thiazolidines; C064893:pidotimod; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid