Abstract
The effect of adding ipratropium bromide to treatment for acute exacerbation of asthma with salbutamol inhalation was studied in 23 preschool children (mean age 3.7 years, range 2-5) and 18 school children (mean age 9.5 years, range 8-14). Each patient was randomised to receive either salbutamol solution alone or mixed solution of salbutamol and ipratropium. Mitsui's symptom score, %FEV1 and SpO2 was recorded before, and 15 and 60 minutes after inhalation treatment. Mitsui's score in preschool children and Mitsui's score and %FEV1 in school children improved significantly at 15 and 60 minutes after inhalation of mixed solution as well as salbutamol alone. In preschool children, SpO2 improved significantly at 60 minutes after inhalation of mixed solution as compared with inhalation of salbutamol alone. In school children, SpO2 improved significantly only at 60 minutes after inhalation of mixed solution as well as salbutamol alone. It is proved that adding ipratropium bromide solution to treatment for acute exacerbation of asthma with salbutamol is more effective in preschool children than in school children.
