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Bronchodilators Make Wheezy Infants Worse

The March 2003 issue of Archives of Diseases of Childhood reports that bronchodilators, drugs used to open constricted airways, actually reduce lung function if they are used in infants who have recurrent wheeze but don’t have asthma.

According to lead researcher Dr. Ward Hofhuis of the University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, “Approximately 60% of wheezy infants and toddlers do not have asthma, but [transitory] conditions associated with diminished airway function.” He goes on to say, “Bronchodialtors are widely used for this category of patients despite conflicting data on their effectiveness in this age group.”

His research team analyzed data on the lung function of 27 infants with restricted airways before and after they inhaled bronchodialating drugs known as beta2-agonists.

“In spite of what one might expect, we found a reduction in lung function after beta2-agonist treatment in wheezy infants,” Hofhuis said. “Moreover, beta2-agonists increase metabolism and heart rate and may cause [problems which lead to reduced oxygen in the blood].”

The reports concludes “the treatment should be critically evaluated, and adverse effects recognized.”

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