KUMJ | VOL. 14 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 53 | JAN-MAR, 2016
Comparison of Initial Response of Nebulized Salbutamol and Adrenaline in Infants and young Children Admitted with Acute Bronchiolitis.
Adhikari S, Thapa P, Rao KS, BK G
Abstract: Background
Acute bronchiolitis is common cause of hospitalization in infants and young children.
There are widespread variations in the diagnosis and management. Despite the use
of bronchodilators for decades, there is lack of consensus for the benefit of one
above another.
Objective
To compare initial response of nebulized adrenaline and salbutamol.
Method
Children aged two months to two years admitted with acute bronchiolitis in the
department of Paediatrics of Manipal teaching hospital, Pokhara, Nepal, from 1st
March 2014 to 28th February 2015 were enrolled. Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria
received either adrenaline or salbutamol nebulization. Data were collected in a
predesigned proforma. Respiratory distress assessment instrument (RDAI) scores
were considered primary outcome measure and respiratory rate at 48 hours,
duration of hospital stay, requirement of supplemental oxygen and intravenous fluid
were considered secondary outcome measure.
Result
A total of 40 patients were enrolled in each study group. Mean RDAI scores at
admission was in 9.75 with (CI- 9.01, 10.49) in adrenaline and 9.77 (CI- 9.05, 10.50)
in salbutamol group. There was gradual decline in mean RDAI scores in both the
groups over 48 hours to 4.15 (CI- 3.57,4.73) and 4.13 (CI- 3.69,4.56) in adrenaline
and salbutamol group respectively. Hospital stay was 5.32 days in adrenaline and
5.68 days in salbutamol group. Patients nebulized with adrenaline required oxygen
for 33.30 hours compared with 36.45 hours in salbutamol. Intravenous fluid duration
was also less in adrenaline group compared to salbutamol group (33.15 vs 37.80
hours).
Conclusion
Patients of acute bronchiolitis nebulized with either salbutamol or adrenaline
experienced similar decline in RDAI scores in the first 48 hours. Duration of
supplementary oxygen and intravenous fluid was less in adrenaline group compared
with salbutamol group.
Keyword : Acute bronchiolitis, adrenaline nebulization, salbutamol nebulization
