Study Reveals New Treatment For Children's Asthma

2025-09-29 07:06:58

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A joint scientific study conducted by researchers at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, in collaboration with Imperial College London, the University of Otago, Starship Children's Hospital, and the University of Auckland, has revealed a new treatment for childhood asthma. The study, conducted using a dual anti-inflammatory inhaler that combines two medications, significantly reduces asthma attacks in children compared to the current standard medication, without any additional side effects.

360 children from across New Zealand were randomly assigned to use either the dual inhaler or salbutamol when needed to relieve asthma symptoms. The study lasted for a full year, and found that the dual inhaler did not cause any differences in children's growth, lung function, or asthma control compared to the standard medication, confirming its safety.

Results also showed that the inhaler combining an inhaled corticosteroid (budesonide) and a rapid-acting bronchodilator (formoterol) reduced asthma attacks by 45% compared to salbutamol, currently used as a first-line treatment. Furthermore, the attack rate in children who used the combined device was 0.23 attacks per year per participant, compared to 0.41 attacks in the salbutamol group. This means that for every 100 children with mild asthma, the number of asthma attacks could be reduced by 18 per year.

Dr Lee Hatter, lead author of the study, said that this study is an important step in bridging the knowledge gap between asthma treatment methods in adults and children. It has been demonstrated, for the first time, that the combined device significantly reduces asthma attacks in children with mild asthma, which could improve asthma treatment outcomes globally.

The study's findings conclude that asthma is a serious chronic disease in children that can be life-threatening. Therefore, reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks is a vital medical goal. This study provides strong evidence for updating pediatric asthma treatment guidelines globally, in line with adult guidelines. This could benefit millions of children worldwide with mild and moderate asthma.

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