Childhood asthma: improved efficacy of pressurized terbutaline aerosol by use of a 750-ml spacer.

A bronchodilator aerosol, terbutaline sulphate, was administered to 18 asthmatic children, mean age 8.0 years (range 4.9-13.7 years) in a cross-over trial using either a common actuator or a 750-ml collapsible spacer. With the spacer, peak expiratory flow rate was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) at 5, 20, and 60 min after administration of 0.25 mg terbutaline sulphate. The mean maximum value during this period was 92% of the predicted normal value with the spacer compared to 86% with the common actuator. The difference was significant (p less than 0.01). This study confirms previous findings that a 750-ml spacer is beneficial in bronchodilator aerosol therapy in children with asthma.