IV magnesium sulfate reduced asthma exacerbations in pediatric population

A recent study by Dominika Ambrozej explored the effectiveness of intravenous magnesium sulfate (IV-MgSO4) as a secondary treatment for acute asthma exacerbations in children. Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease affecting children worldwide that poses a significant healthcare burden by prompting the urgent need for reliable secondary therapies. The key findings were published in the journal of Paediatric Respiratory Reviews.

This meta-analysis evaluated data from randomized clinical trials to assess the efficacy and safety of IV-MgSO4 in managing acute asthma exacerbations in children. The primary outcomes focused on hospitalization rates, length of hospital stay and changes in severity scores, while the secondary outcomes included measures such as peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), hospital re-admission rates and adverse effects.

The findings from the analysis encompassed a total of eleven studies that revealed that administration of IV-MgSO4 to children experiencing acute asthma exacerbations showed a sizeable reduction in the risk of hospitalization by indicating its potential as a valuable secondary treatment option. In comparison to standard therapies, IV-MgSO4 demonstrated an improvement in lung function, as evidenced by an increase in PEFR in select studies.

The analysis highlighted the rarity of adverse effects associated with IV-MgSO4 by further underscoring its potential as a safe intervention for pediatric asthma management. This study also noted the need for additional well-designed research to further elucidate the efficacy and safety profile of IV-MgSO4.

This significant advancement in asthma management offers hope for millions of children with this condition globally. By providing clinicians with valuable insights into an effective secondary treatment option, this research suggests the potential to enhance the quality of care and reduce the healthcare burden associated with childhood asthma exacerbations.

Source:

Ambrożej, D., Adamiec, A., Forno, E., Orzołek, I., Feleszko, W., & Castro-Rodriguez, J. A. (2024). Intravenous magnesium sulfate for asthma exacerbations in children: Systematic review with meta-analysis. In Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prrv.2024.01.003