Comparison of Breath-Enhanced and T-Piece Nebulizers in Children With Acute Asthma

Pre-treatment spirometry measurement assessed at the time of study enrollment. Post-treatment spirometry measurement assessed following the administration of one time 5mg nebulized albuterol sulfate treatment. Assessments taken at baseline (prior to albuterol therapy) and 10 min post-treatment. Change in FEV1 calculated as post-treatment FEV1 minus pre-treatment FEV1

Based on examination and auscultation of lungs prior to and immediately following albuterol administration.

PAS score is on a scale of 0-10 which is a sum of five separate sub-scores each on a scale of 0-2. The five sub-scores are:

• Respiratory rate (6-12yr/>12yr): <=26/23 (0), 27-30/24-27 (1), >31/28 (2)
• Oxygenation: >95% (0), 90-95 (1), <90 (2)
• Auscultation: clear/end expiratory wheeze (0), expiratory wheeze (1), biphasic wheeze/diminished (2)
• Work of Breathing (accessory muscles): <= 1 (0), 2 (1), >=3 (2)
• Dyspnea: Full sentences (0), Partial sentences (1), Single words (2)

Pre-treatment assessment at the time of study enrollment. Post-treatment assessment following the administration of one time 5mg nebulized albuterol sulfate treatment. Assessments taken at baseline (prior to albuterol therapy) and 10 min post-treatment. Change in PAS calculated as post-treatment PAS minus pre-treatment PAS.

Determined by examination and auscultation of lungs to prior to and immediately following albuterol administration.

PASS is a total score on a scale of 0-6 which is calculated as a sum of three sub-scores, each on a scale of 0-2. The sub-scores are:

• Wheezing: None or Mild (0), Moderate (1), Severe wheezing or absent wheezing due to poor air exchange (2)
• Work of breathing (accessory muscle use or retractions): None or mild (0), Moderate (1), Severe (2)
• Prolonged expiration: Normal or mildly prolonged (0), moderately prolonged (1), severely prolonged (2)

Pre-treatment assessment at the time of study enrollment. Post-treatment assessment following the administration of one time 5mg nebulized albuterol sulfate treatment. Assessments taken at baseline (prior to albuterol therapy) and 10 min post-treatment. Change in PASS calculated as post-treatment PASS minus pre-treatment PASS.

Admission rate to inpatient hospital will be assessed at the time of Emergency Department disposition which will be approximately 3 hours, but will be assessed up to 24 hours depending on duration of ED stay.

Total length of stay will be assessed at the time of Emergency Department disposition which will be approximately 3 hours, but will be assessed up to 24 hours depending on duration of ED stay.

Subjects and parents/guardians will be asked whether subjects experienced nausea, vomiting, palpitations, headache, dizziness either during (assessed by non-blinded personnel) or following treatment (assessed by blinded personnel during post-treatment assessment). Subject and parent/guardian will also be asked if any "other" side effects were experienced.

Cumulative dose of albuterol in mg will be assessed at the time of Emergency Department disposition which will be approximately 3 hours, but will be assessed up to 24 hours depending on duration of ED stay.

Respiratory rate will be measured by observation and auscultation over 30 seconds prior to and immediately following albuterol administration

Pre-treatment assessment at the time of study enrollment. Post-treatment assessment following the administration of one time 5mg nebulized albuterol sulfate treatment. Assessments taken at baseline (prior to albuterol therapy) and 10 min post-treatment. Change in respiratory rate calculated as post-treatment respiratory rate minus pre-treatment respiratory rate.

Blinded research personnel will assess subject's heart rate by auscultation and/or pulse palpation prior to and immediately following albuterol administration.

Pre-treatment assessment at the time of study enrollment. Post-treatment assessment following the administration of one time 5mg nebulized albuterol sulfate treatment. Assessments taken at baseline (prior to albuterol therapy) and 10 min post-treatment. Change in heart rate calculated as post-treatment heart rate minus pre-treatment heart rate.