The Effect of Montelukast Treatment in Wheezy Infants

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of montelukast in wheezy very young children with persistent respiratory symptoms. This study was a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 6 to 24 months old children, who had at least one physician-diagnosed wheezing episode and persistent asthmatic symptoms. Patients were randomised to placebo or montelukast 4 mg / day for 8 weeks period. The clinical response to treatment was determined, the functional residual capacity (FRC) and specific air-way conductance (sGaw) was measured using an infant whole-body pletys-mograph, the maximal flow at functional residual capacity (V´maxFRC) was re-corded using the squeeze technique and airway responsiveness was evaluated by performing a dosimetric methacholine challenge test.

Inclusion criteria

• at least one physician-diagnosed wheezing episode and history of recurrent cough, dyspnoea and wheeze and successfully performed methacholine challenge test were included.

Exclusion criteria

• use of ICS within 8 weeks prior to the first visit, a cumulative life-time systemic prednisolone use more than 3 days at a dose of 2 mg/kg, an equipotent dose of another systemic corticosteroid or ICS use more than 4 weeks, respiratory infection in the 14 days preceding lung function measurement and obvious tracheobronchomalacia or other structural defect.