OBJECTIVEThe efficacy of bronchodilator in asthmatoid bronchitis remains controversial. This study was designed to investigate the effects of bronchodilators, salbutamo and ipraopium bromide, on the pulmonary function in young children with this disease.

METHODSPulmonary function tests were performed in 20 children with asthmatoid bronchitis (2 months-2.5 years of age) before and 30, 60, and 120 minutes after salbutamo and ipratropium bromide inhalation. The indexes of pulmonary function measured included tidal breathing flow volume (TBFV) loop, percent of tidal volume to peak tidal expiratory flow (%V-PF), terminal flows per peak expiratory flow (25/PF), peak tidal expiratory flow (PTEF), rate of mid-expiratory to mid-inspiratory flow (ME/MI), respiratory rate (RR) and tidal volume per kilogram (TV/kg).

RESULTSBefore drug inhalation, the descending branch of the TBFV loop was depressed. The PTEF shifted forward and %V-PF (0.19 +/- 0.04) and 25/PF (0.42 +/- 0.11) decreased. These changes did not improve and the remaining indexes, RR, ME/MI and TV/kg, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after drug inhalation also remained similar to before inhalation.

CONCLUSIONSSalbutamo and ipratropium bromide inhalation did not improve the airway resistance and ventilation function in children with asthmatoid bronchitis. This suggests that the efficacy of bronchodilator in the treatment of this disease is doubtful.