Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate in Acute Bronchiolitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of nebulized magnesium sulfate as a bronchodilator in infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis.


METHODS
This three-center double masked randomized clinical trial comprised 120 children with moderate to severe bronchiolitis. They were randomly assigned into two groups: the first group was treated with nebulized magnesium sulfate (40 mg/kg) and nebulized epinephrine (0.1 ml/kg) and the second group (control) was treated with nebulized epinephrine (0.1 ml/kg). The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay. The use of oxygen, temperature, oxygen saturation (SPO2), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR) and respiratory distress assessment instrument (RDAI) score were measured in the beginning of the study and during hospitalization.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) age of 120 infants was 5.1(± 2.6) mo and 60% were boys. The length of hospital stay was not different between the two groups (P > 0.01). Use of oxygen supplementation, SPO2 and vital signs were similar in the two groups. Improvement in RDAI score was significantly better in infants treated with nebulized magnesium sulfate than in the other group (P 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, in infants with acute bronchiolitis, the effect of nebulized magnesium sulfate is comparable to nebulized epinephrine. However nebulized magnesium sulfate can improve the clinical score so it may have additive effect to reduce symptoms during hospitalization.
Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Modaresi
Jamal
J
Faghihinia
Roya
R
Kelishadi
Mohsen
M
Reisi
Shahrokh
S
Mirlohi
Farhad
F
Pajhang
Majid
M
Sadeghian
D000208:Acute Disease; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D004837:Epinephrine