ABSTRACT
To assess the efficacy of montelukast in children with bronchiolitis. Experimental-Preventive. Pediatrics department Allied/DHQ hospital affiliated with Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, from 1[st] Nov 2007 to 30[th] April 2008. One hundred children of bronchiolitis were studied in two equal groups, group A and group B. To group A montelukast along with symptomatic treatment was given. Group B was given only symptomatic treatment. The criteria of treatment efficacy was taken as number of symptoms free days and nights, bronchiodilator rescue therapy, duration of hospital stay and complications like worsening of symptoms, ventilatory support and side effects of drug therapy. Symptoms free days were increased in group A as compare to group B [P value = 0.000] whereas duration of symptoms free nights were significant numerically but not statistically. There was a significant reduction in exacerbations [P = 0.046] and use of rescue therapy [beta 2-agonist] in group A. Leukotriene receptor antagonist [LRTA] reduced the duration and severity of lung symptoms in children with Bronchiolitis