ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The ideal dosing of albuterol via metered-dose inhalers for acute childhood asthma is not well established. We hypothesized that greater doses of albuterol would result in less time in the hospital and lower admission rates. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled double-blind multicenter study, conducted in emergency rooms (ER). We included patients with 2-17 years old with moderate to severe acute asthma (Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure, PRAM, score ≥5). Dosages administered during the first hour included: 6 (up to 25 kg) or 12 puffs (>25 kg) in the control group and 9 (up to 15 kg), 12 (>15-20 kg), 15 (>20-25 kg), or 18 puffs (>25 kg) in the study group. Several efficacy (changes in PRAM score, pulse oximetry, and FEV1 , length of stay, and admission rates) and safety (albuterol plasma levels, heart rate, serum potassium, glucose and bicarbonate levels, EKG, and tremor rates) outcome measures were assessed. RESULTS: We included 119 patients with similar baseline conditions, and no significant differences were observed between groups in the length of stay (P = 0.48) or admission rate (P = 0.55). No significant differences were observed in FEV1 , PRAM score, and pulse oximetry changes after 1 hr and at discharge or admission. No significant differences were observed in safety outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Higher albuterol dosage regimens did not result in lower admission rate or shorter length of stay in the ER, but showed similar safety profile for children with moderate to severe acute asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1122-1130. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subject(s)
Albuterol/administration & dosage , Asthma/drug therapy , Bronchodilator Agents/administration & dosage , Metered Dose Inhalers , Status Asthmaticus/drug therapy , Administration, Inhalation , Adolescent , Albuterol/adverse effects , Albuterol/therapeutic use , Asthma/physiopathology , Bronchodilator Agents/adverse effects , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Double-Blind Method , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Heart Rate , Humans , Male , Oximetry , Status Asthmaticus/physiopathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We report a case of a child with meningoencephalitis of atypical etiology. The patient developed the disease after an infection in the upper airways with unfavorable evolution. The clinical recovery was only possible after the administration of adequate antibiotic therapy for the etiological agent. This case report describes a child with meningoencephalitis of atypical etiology. The patient developed the disease after an infection in the superior airways with negative evolution. The clinical recovery was possible only after the introduction of adequate antibiotic therapy for the etiological agent.
