[Evaluation of racemic epinephrine with intermittent positive pressure in the treatment of acute infections laryngotracheitis].

Fourteen children admitted to the Hospital de Pediatría of the C.M.N. of the I.M.S.S. with the diagnosis of acute infectious laryngotracheobronchitis were divided into two groups with similar conditions for their study. The benefit derived from the application of recemic epinephrine with intermittent positive pressure was confirmed 15 and 30 minutes later by means of a double blind study; the improvement was swift and spectacular, but temporary; therefore, such treatment must be given only in hospitals, since relapses may show up two to four hours later, making in dangerous to send the patients home or to apply to ambulatory cases. The use of racemic epinephrine is proposed for hospitals having equipment and personnel trained in its management and the convenience of further studies is set forth to determine the period of effectiveness of racemic epinephrine and the advantage of giving repeated doses.