Effect of salbutamol on lung function parameters of healthy children

Abstract.

In the present study, the effect of 200 µg salbutamol compared to placebo was evaluated on lung function parameters of 37 healthy children aged 7–14 years. Salbutamol or placebo were administered, using a single blind study design, and spirometry was performed before and after 10 min of inhalation. At the time of the study, all children were symptom-free and had not suffered from any respiratory infection during the previous 4 weeks. The administration of salbutamol resulted in a significant increase of mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (111%–115%, P<0.05), maximal expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (101%–110%, P<0.05) and maximal expiratory flow at 25 % of forced vital capacity (96%–115%, P<0.05). The administration of placebo resulted in no significant change in lung function parameters.

Conclusion. The administration of 200 µg salbutamol results in the occurrence of a small but significant bronchodilation in healthy, non-asthmatic children.