Inhaled vs nebulized salbutamol in the management of acute asthma exacerbation in preschool children: a randomized comparative trial

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of inhaled vs nebulized salbutamol, in children between one and six years, a randomized trial was performed in 70 patients during a six month period, in Medellín, Colombia. Patients were included because of acute asthma exacerbation. In 32 children two 100 mg doses of salbutamol were administered in three opportunities by means of an inhaling chamber with intervals of twenty minutes. In 38 children, on the other hand, 0.15 mg/k, diluted in 4 ml of saline solution, were administered three times by nebulization, during twenty minutes, with similar intervals. Respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation were measured before and after treatment, and the clinical response and secondary effects were registered. Children in both groups were similar regarding age, seriousness of the crisis, previous evolution and clinical and paraclinical criteria used in the evaluation. Improvement was similar in both groups (p>0.05); also similar was the number of good, fair and poor responses to treatment. Secondary reactions, particularly tachycardia, occurred in 36.8% of nebulized children and in 21.9% of those treated by inhalation (p=0.27). It is concluded that, in the studied population, results of treatment of acute asthma crises were similar regardless of the system of administration of salbutamol, either inhaled of nebulized.