Magnesium (n=31) | Placebo (n=30) | Difference | 95% CI for difference | p-value# | |
Primary outcomes | |||||
Change in RDAI score | |||||
Baseline versus 6 h after the study treatment | 4.7±2.6 | 4.2±4.2 | 0.5 | −1.3 to 2.3 | 0.594 |
Baseline versus 20 min after the study treatment | 1.1±2.7 | 0.9±2.9 | 0.2 | −1.2 to 1.7 | 0.718 |
RDAI score at baseline | 10.2±2.6 | 12.0±2.6 | −1.8 | −3.1 to −0.5 | 0.009 |
RDAI score 6 h after the study treatment | 5.5±2.8 | 7.8±4.2 | −2.3 | −4.1 to −0.4 | 0.016 |
RDAI score at baseline, rhinovirus positive | 10.5±2.7 | 12.2±2.4 | −1.6 | −3.2 to −0.5 | 0.044 |
RDAI score 6 h after the study treatment, rhinovirus positive | 5.7±2.9 | 6.9±4.1 | −1.2 | −3.3 to 1.0 | 0.275 |
Secondary outcomes | |||||
Number of doses of a short-acting beta-agonist within 6 h after the study treatment | 2.8±1.4 | 3.1±1.5 | −0.3 | −1.0 to 0.5 | 0.439 |
Systemic corticosteroid treatment | 3 (10) | 7 (23) | −13.3 | −33.2 to 5.5 | 0.112 |
Supplemental oxygen during or after the study treatment | 17 (55) | 19 (63) | −8.5 | −32.1 to 16.1 | 0.453 |
Duration of the need for supplemental oxygen h | 19.0±18.2 | 20.5±26.6 | −1.5 | −17.2 to 14.1 | 0.844 |
Treatment in the intensive care unit | 3 (10) | 5 (17) | −6.9 | −25.7 to 11.2 | 0.310 |
Duration of hospitalisation h | 32.9±19.3 | 42.9±48.9 | −10.0 | −28.9 to 8.9 | 0.296 |
Revisits to the paediatric emergency clinic due to wheezing within 30 days after the study treatment | 3 (10) | 8 (27) | −16.9 | −36.7 to 2.7 | 0.064 |
Treatment in the paediatric ward due to wheezing within 30 days after the study treatment | 1 (3) | 6 (20) | −16.8 | −34.8 to −0.8 | 0.029 |
Data are presented as mean±sd or n (%), unless otherwise stated. #: standard normal deviate test or t-test, where appropriate. RDAI: Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument.