Efficacy of Inhalation Therapy in Bronchial Asthma in Children between (6–18 Years) of Age

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the bronchial tree, characterized by completely or partially reversible airway obstruction, which may improve spontaneously or may subside only after specific therapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inhalation therapy in bronchial asthma in Children betwen (6–18 yrs) of age to find the frequency of its use, role of practitioners in prescribing inhalation therapy, role of inhaled steroids and B2 agonists, technique of using inhaler devices, & its continuances.

The study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Muzaffarnagar Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarnagar. A total of 150 children (6–18 yrs), presenting with bronchial asthma from june 2014 to december 2015 were taken up for the study. Detailed clinical history was taken, and general and systemic examination was done. All patients underwent relevant investigation.

127(84.6%) children were on inhalation therapy. Out of 127 use we found 74 (58.3%) children were regular using & 53 (41.7%) were using only on demand. All patients were on beta-2 agonist inhalers at the dose of 400 mcg. The concurrent use of oral short acting B2 agonist and steroids was seen in 107 (84%) and 41 (32.2%) children respectively. Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) were most frequently used inhaler devices in 100 (78.7%) cases, dry powder inhalers (rotahalers) in 27 (3.9%) cases and spacers by 11 (8.6) and Nebulizer by 5 (8.6%) cases respectively.

inhalation therapy was being prescribed in large number of asthmatic children.

The main reasons for ineffective inhalation therapy were, underuse of inhaled steroids, overuse of B2 agonists and incorrect use of inhaler devices. There is an urgent need to educate in regards to usefulness of inhaled steroids, as on demand use of B2 agonists, demonstration of correct inhalation technique to patients, use of spacer devices and peak flow monitoring.