In infants and toddlers wheezy bronchitis is a common viral disease. To relieve wheezing
symptoms bronchodilators or corticosteroids are commonly used but the efficacy is not always
satisfactory.
The purpose of this trial is to investigate the effectiveness of iv-magnesium in the
treatment of moderate or severe bronchial obstruction associated with viral infection in
small children.
The study population will include the children attending the Pediatric Emergency Department
of Oulu University Hospital because of respiratory infection and bronchial obstruction that
is not relieved with conventional treatment. After written consent from the parents, the
children will be randomized to get either intravenous magnesium sulfate or isotonic NaCl. The
primary outcome is RDAI (Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument) scoring six hours from
the infusion. Secondary endpoints are RDAI scoring and oxygen saturation at other time points
and length of hospital stay.
The sample size is 64 children at the age of 6 months to 4 years.
If iv-magnesium is effective in relieving viral infection associated bronchial obstruction,
that would be an important addition to the treatment of this common disease.