AEROSOL DELIVERY TO SPONTANEOUSLY BREATHING NEONATES - SPACER OR NEBULIZER

Aims: We chose to compare aerosol delivery from a nebulizer and a pres surized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) through a small-volume spacer in s pontaneously breathing newborn infants. Methods: Twenty-four neonates (weight 1800g-5260g) inhaled salbutamol solution from a Pari-Baby nebu lizer and salbutamol puffs from a pMDI through a Nebuchamber in random order, A filter was placed between the inhalation systems and the air way opening. Results: The amount of drug deposited on the filter (expr essed as percentage of the total nebulized or actuated doses) was high er with the pMDI plus the Nebuchamber than with the Pari-Baby (39.3 +/ - 2.0% vs, 21.6 +/- 2.1%), Body weight and crying did not influence dr ug delivery. Conclusions: Aerosol delivery to spontaneously breathing neonates with a pMDI through a small-volume spacer provides a viable a lternative to nebulizer therapy, (Pediatr Asthma Allergy Immunol 1997; 11[2]111-117.)