275 CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE TO SALBUTAMOL IN ACUTE BRONCHIOLITIS

Top of pageAbstract Introduction: There is significant controversy about the role of bronchodilator therapy for bronchiolitis. Some authors have found improvement with bronchodilators when a clinical score is applied but others have not found any effects when pulmonary function is used. Methods: We have studied the pulmonary function, O2-saturation and a clinical score before and 20 minutes after inhaled salbutamol in 36 infants (less than 1 year old) with bronchiolitis. 88% of them were VRS positive. Pulmonary function was studied by measuring forced expiratory flow with rapid thoraco-abdominal compression technique. Conclusion: We have found a significant deterioration both in clinical score and pulmonary function after administration of salbutamol in bronchiolitis.