[Comparative clinical study of dexamethasone vs. nebulized salbutamol in acute bronchiolitis]

Abstract

Objective: Asess the efficacy of nebulized salbutamol and dexamethasone compared with nebulized salbutamol, in patients with bronchiolitis.

Material and methods: A blinded clinical trial was performed with 49 patients between 1-18 months diagnosed with bronchiolitis with three days or less of disease evolution. Participant's parents signed an informed consent and patients did not receive prior medication. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: nebulized salbutamol or salbutamol plus dexamethasone, which they received every four hours during twenty-four hours. We measured heart and respiratory rate; respiratory distress index, oxygen saturation, and Silverman Andersen scores.

Results: No significant differences were found between groups for treatment response; but the frequency of hospital release at 24 hrs was significant among groups; 75 vs 96 % respectively (p = 0.04).

Conclusions: The administration of salbutamol plus dexamethasone is more effective in the control of respiratory distress in children with bronchiolitis compared with the use of salbutamol alone.