Response to salbutamol in children with acute asthma exacerbations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate response to salbutamol in children with acute asthma exacerbations in order to estimate the efficiency and safety of its administration in pediatric population. The study included 56 children with asthma (age range 5-12) who were diagnosed and treated over a period of two years. In all children, salbutamol was administered via nebulization, in doses of 1.25 mg in children aged 5-6 and 2.5 mg in children aged 7-12. Respiratory and blood parameters were monitored before and 30 minutes after salbutamol administration. In children with acute asthma exacerbations, respiratory frequency, potassium level, sodium level and PaCO2 decreased significantly after salbutamol administration, while PEF, PEF%, glycemia, PaO2 and SatO2 significantly increased. Hypokalemia due to salbutamol effect occurred in 15 (26.8%) children. Most significant improvement in oxygenation, with increase of PEF, PEF%, PaO2 and SatO2, after salbutamol administration was achieved in patients with mild acute exacerbations. Salbutamol administered via nebulization leads to the occurrence of adverse metabolic effects, hypokalemia and hyperglycemia. However, it can be safely used in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations and demonstrates high clinical efficacy in the management of acute bronchospasm. The most effective salbutamol treatment is achieved in patients with mild exacerbations.