Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
-
Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Mar 2014
Early administration of terbutaline in severe pediatric asthma may reduce incidence of acute respiratory failure.
Severe pediatric asthma, if not immediately and aggressively treated, may progress to acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Intravenous (IV) terbutaline, a β2 agonist, is dispensed when the initial treatment does not improve the clinical condition. ⋯ The results of the present study, conducted in the largest number of subjects to date, suggest that early administration of continuous terbutaline in the ED may decrease acute respiratory failure and the need for mechanical respiratory (invasive and noninvasive) support in severe pediatric asthma.