Deposition of Aerosols in Infants and Children

Abstract

There is still a lack of knowledge in the field of aerosol therapy in children, particularly in young children. The amount of drug delivered from a commercially available inhalation device that reaches the lungs of children is generally low. The choice of an optimal combination of delivery device and drug formulation based on individual patient related factors is crucial. Aerosols with a small MMAD and a narrow GSD are required for a sufficient inhalation therapy in early childhood. The development of combinations of delivery devices and drug formulations fulfilling the requirements for an efficient inhalation therapy in young children is likely to increase the therapeutical options in this age group.

Reduced breath condensate pH in asymptomatic children with prior wheezing as a risk factor for asthma

“…However, we acknowledge that the design of the present study 281 did not allow to control for important aspects such as compliance with inhalation therapy, therapy 282 effectiveness, or judgment of the suitable dose 38,39 . Although the overall correlation between the dEBC 283 pH and FeNO was not significant, group 1 had significantly higher FeNO values than group 2, in 284 concordance with lowered dEBC pH results.…”

Influence of particle size on regional lung deposition – What evidence is there?

“…Considering this fact, formulations developed for inhalation therapy based on adults may have a significant impact on their application to infants and young children. The relatively smaller airways of this subset of patients are a critical factor for the drug to reach the lower airways (Amirav et al, 2010;Schuepp et al, 2004b).…”

Effect of Aerosol Devices and Administration Techniques on Drug Delivery in a Simulated Spontaneously Breathing Pediatric Tracheostomy Model

“…The pediatric population has different ranges of age groups, resulting in patients with different airway sizes and breathing patterns. 9 Young children have smaller airway sizes, lower tidal volumes (V T ), and higher breathing frequency compared with older children. 9 These patient-related factors impact the deposition of aerosol drugs in the lungs.…”

“…9 Young children have smaller airway sizes, lower tidal volumes (V T ), and higher breathing frequency compared with older children. 9 These patient-related factors impact the deposition of aerosol drugs in the lungs. 9,10 The presence of an artificial airway, such as a tracheostomy tube (TT) or an ETT, influences the deposition of inhaled aerosols in the lungs.…”

“…9 These patient-related factors impact the deposition of aerosol drugs in the lungs. 9,10 The presence of an artificial airway, such as a tracheostomy tube (TT) or an ETT, influences the deposition of inhaled aerosols in the lungs. 11 Therefore, it is important to select an efficient aerosol delivery device and the proper administration technique to enhance aerosol delivery in pediatric patients with a tracheostomy since the effectiveness of aerosol therapy is largely device-and technique-dependent.…”