TRANSCUTANEOUS BLOOD-GAS MONITORING DURING SALBUTAMOL INHALATIONS IN YOUNG-CHILDREN WITH ACUTE ASTHMATIC SYMPTOMS

The effect of salbutamol inhalations on transcutaneous blood gases was investigated in 23 children (aged 11 months-2.5 years) with asthmatic symptoms. After one salbutamol inhalation there was a mean increase in transcutaneous P(O2) (tCP(O2)) of 0.5 kPa (P < 0.01); after a second dose given 30 minutes later, the mean increase was 1.2 kPa (P < 0.001). The increase in tcP(O2) after only one dose of salbutamol was significantly correlated to age (P < 0.01). No such correlation was observed after a second dose. The overall increase in tcP(O2) after two salbutamol inhalations showed a negative correlation to the duration of the current symptomatic period (P < 0.05). We conclude that salbutamol inhalations have beneficial effects in young children with acute asthmatic symptoms, even below the age of 18 months, provided that an adequate dose reaches the lung and preferably at an early stage of obstruction.