HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (21) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Straub, D. A. Articles by Wildhaber, J. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Straub, D. A. Articles by Wildhaber, J. H.

The effect of montelukast on lung function and exhaled nitric oxide in infants with early childhood asthma

¹ Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. ² University of Homburg, Homburg/Saar, Germany.

CORRESPONDENCE: D. A. Straub, Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zürich, Switzerland. Fax: 41 12667171. E-mail: daniel.straub@kispi.unizh.ch

Keywords: Asthma, infant, inflammation, lung function test, montelukast, nitric oxide

Received: March 15, 2004
Accepted September 28, 2004

Effective treatment of respiratory symptoms, airway inflammation and impairment of lung function is the goal of any asthma therapy. Although montelukast has been shown to be a possible add-on therapy for anti-inflammatory treatment in older children, its efficacy in infants and young children is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate its effect in infants and young children with early childhood asthma.

In a prospective randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study, 24 young children (10–26 months) with wheeze, allergy and a positive family history of asthma consistent with the diagnosis of early childhood asthma were randomised to receive montelukast 4 mg or placebo. The forced expiratory volume in 0.5 seconds (FEV_0.5) was measured using the raised volume rapid thoracic compression technique, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (F_eNO) and symptom scores were determined.

No change was noted in FEV_0.5, F_eNO or symptom score in the placebo group following the treatment period. In contrast, significant improvements in mean±SD FEV_0.5 (189.0±37.8 and 214.4±44.9 mL before and after treatment, respectively), F_eNO (29.8±10.0 and 19.0±8.5 ppb) and median symptom score (5.5 and 1.5) were noted following treatment with montelukast.

In conclusion, montelukast has a positive effect on lung function, airway inflammation and symptom scores in very young children with early childhood asthma.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D R Taylor, M W Pijnenburg, A D Smith, and J C D Jongste Exhaled nitric oxide measurements: clinical application and interpretation. Thorax, September 1, 2006; 61(9): 817 - 827. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. N. Saieed, I. A. AlPachachi, and W. M. Almashhadani The effect of montelukast on nasal mucociliary clearance. J. Clin. Pharmacol., May 1, 2006; 46(5): 588 - 590. [Full Text] [PDF]