EFFICACY OF NEBULIZED ALBUTEROL AND CROMOLYN SULFATE FOR ACUTE WHEEZING AND STRIDOR IN CHILDREN - A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED STUDY

A number of respiratory tract illnesses may produce acute wheezing and strider in children, and treatment may vary, depending on the specifi c illness. These illnesses, however, may be difficult to differentiate solely on clinical grounds. A uniform therapeutic approach for childr en with acute wheezing or strider independent of the specific etiology can be employed. In this prospective study, 246 children received aer osolized albuterol and cromolyn sulfate. Children who remain in distre ss after aerosolized medications should be admitted to the hospital. T hose with partial improvement may be treated with home aerosol treatme nts after intramuscular injection of dexamethasone.