Effect of parenteral terbutaline on serum immunoglobulins and ventilatory function tests in asthmatic children

ABSTRACT

This study was done in a trial to know the effect of terbutaline, given subcutaneously in a dose of 0.005 mg/kg, to asthmatic children during attacks. Two groups were studied Group I consisted of twenty patients [12 males and 8 females] with bronchial asthma during attacks. Their ages ranged from 5-12 years, and Group II consisted of ten normal healthy children of an analogous age, sex and height. They were taken as a control group,. Ventilatory function tests [FEVI, FVC, FEVI%] were measured in both groups. In group I, the measurement was done before an half an hour after terbutaline injection. Serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE were measured in both groups. In group I, the measurement was done before and also half an hour after terbutaline injection. The results of the study showed that [1] there was marked subjective and objective clinical response to subcutaneous terbutaline, [2] there was no subjective or objective side effects to terbutaline, [3] Ventilatory function tests [FEV1, FVC, FEV1%] improved significantly [P < 0.001], [4] IgG decreased insignificantly [P > 0.05], [5] IgA increased significantly [P < 0.01] after terbutatline, [6] IgM did not differ significantly after terbutaline [P > 0.05], and [7] IgE decreased significantly after injection [P < 0.001]