BRONCHIOLITIS AND BRONCHODILATORS

Therapy for acute bronchiolitis is symptomatic. The role of bronchodil ators including theophylline, sympathomimetic and anticholinergic agen ts remains controversial. Most reports show a tack of proven therapeut ic effect. However methodologic and technical problems are frequent. T hree recent reports show the effect of nebulized salbutamol in infants and children seen in emergency with a first episode of mild bronchiol itis. This treatment is safe when it is administred with oxygen. In ho spitalized patients, inhaled bronchodilators = salbutamol, ipratropium bromide administred alone or in association did not improve the condi tion. Actually some reports have suggested that the use of a adrenergi cs agents may be useful in bronchiolitis.