The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The effects of inhaled albuterol and salmeterol in 2- to 5-year-old asthmatic children as measured by impulse oscillometry.
The functional assessment of the response to bronchodilators in 2- to 5-year-old asthmatic children is technically difficult. For this reason, there have been no reports on the effects of long-acting bronchodilators, such as salmeterol, in this age group. Of the several techniques available for measuring resistance to airflow, forced oscillation remains the most adaptable to young children and the most practical for research and clinical use. ⋯ Impulse oscillometry is an acceptable method of assessing airway responses to bronchoactive drugs in this age group. Compared to albuterol and to its effect in older children and adults, the response to salmeterol Diskus appears to be somewhat blunted in this age group. The MasterScreen system is well suitedfor pharmacodynamic studies and clinical investigations in pre-school-aged children.