Higher-dose intravenous magnesium therapy for children with moderate to severe acute asthma.

Publication/Presentation Date

10-1-2000

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a 40-mg/kg dose of intravenous magnesium sulfate for moderate to severe asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING: Two urban tertiary care pediatric emergency departments.

SUBJECTS: Thirty patients, aged 6 to 17.9 years, being treated for an acute asthma exacerbation.

INTERVENTION: Eligible patients received either a magnesium sulfate infusion of 40 mg/kg or saline solution.

RESULTS: At 20 minutes, the time at which the infusion was completed, the magnesium group had a significantly greater percentage of absolute improvement from baseline in each of the following: predicted peak expiratory flow rate (8.6% vs 0.3%, P< . 001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (7.0% vs 0.2%,P< .001), and forced vital capacity (7.3% vs -0.7%, P< .001). The improvement was greater at 110 minutes: peak expiratory flow rate (25.8% vs 1.9%, P< .001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (24.1% vs 2.3%; P< . 001), and forced vital capacity (27.3% vs 2.6%, P< .001). Patients who received intravenous magnesium were more likely to be discharged to their homes than those who received the placebo (8/16 vs 0/14; P=. 002).

CONCLUSION: Children treated with 40 mg/kg of intravenous magnesium sulfate for moderate to severe asthma showed remarkable improvement in short-term pulmonary function.

Volume

154

Issue

10

First Page

979

Last Page

983

ISSN

1072-4710

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

11030848

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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