Comparison of Pulmonary Index Score after Treatment with Salbutamol Through Nebulisers Vs. Metered - Dose Inhalers with Spacer Device for Treatment of Childhood Wheeze

The aim of this study was to compare the mean pulmonary index score after Salbutamol delivery through nebulisers and metered-dose inhalers with spacers for the treatment of wheezing in children aged between 6 and 24 months. This randomised controlled trial was conducted from September 2023 to February 2024. A total of 430 children aged between 6 and 24 months and reported with continuous wheezing were divided into two equal groups. In patients of Group A, medicine was delivered through nebulisation, while in patients of Group B, it was delivered using a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 16.17 ± 4.73 months. The results showed significant improvement in pulmonary index scores of patients in Group B compared to Group A (3.67 ± 1.16 vs. 3.96 ± 0.75, p = 0.002). Salbutamol delivery through metered-dose inhalers with spacers was better than nebulisers for the treatment of childhood wheezing. Key Words: Childhood wheeze, Metered-dose inhalers, Nebulisers, Pulmonary index score, Salbutamol, Spacer device.