Acute Respiratory Disorders in Children: Efficacy of Mucolytic Agents
Study Objective: To assess the efficacy of Herbion Cowslip Syrup in treating children with acute respiratory disorders (ARD). Study Design: This was an open-label, post-marketing study. Materials and Methods: We followed 80 children, ranging in age from 5 to 17, with ARD accompanied with cough. The main group included 50 children who received Herbion Cowslip Syrup. The control group included 30 children who were receiving ambroxol. The treatment efficacy was assessed on days 5 and 10, using a rating scale of ARD clinical symptoms, including coughing, and computer-digitized airway phonography as a tool to test pulmonary function. Study Results: Baseline computer-digitized airway phonography showed that, in 64.5% of patients in the main group and 50.0% of patients in the control group, the high-frequency component of the work of breathing was enhanced. This signaled moderate airway obstruction. By treatment day 5, in most patients (74%) in the main group, the frequency of cough had decreased, and sputum evacuation had become easier. In the main and control groups, the severity of cough had reduced from 2.7 ± 0.4 to 1.6 ± 0.2 (p < 0.05) and from 2.8 ± 0.4 to 1.9 ± 0.3, respectively, by treatment day 5 and from 0.1 ± 0.1 (p < 0.05) and from 0.3 ± 0.2 (p < 0.05), respectively, by treatment day 10. In 95% of children with airway obstruction who received treatment with Herbion Cowslip Syrup, the parameters of computer-digitized airway phonography normalized by treatment day 5. Conclusion: Herbion Cowslip Syrup is effective in treating children who have ARD accompanied by cough, and has similar effects to those of mucolytic agents.