NEBULIZED FLUNISOLIDE IN INFANTS AND YOUNG-CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA - A PILOT-STUDY

The role of nebulized flunisolide solution in controlling recurrent re spiratory symptoms was assessed in a double-blind placebo-controlled p arallel study on 23 infants and small children (mean age, 14.2 months) with bronchial asthma. Five of the 12 children in the placebo group a nd 1 of the 11 patients on active treatment had to be withdrawn from t he study. Flunisolide significantly improved symptom scores of wheezin g and cough. The rescue treatments with salbutamol did not differ betw een the two groups during the study. Parents considered the active tre atment effective in all the patients, while the placebo was considered useful in 4 of 7 children. No side effects were detected with either treatments. This study indicates that nebulized flunisolide may be an effective treatment for infants with recurrent wheezing and cough. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.