Study of Bronchodilator Effects in Children 3 to 24 Months Old With Bronchiolitis Using Genetic and Clinical Features

What this Trial Is About

Bronchiolitis is a common cause of illness in young children, leading to significant healthcare use. This research aims to understand how children with bronchiolitis respond to bronchodilator treatments like albuterol, focusing on differences in clinical features and genetics. The study explores whether certain genetic variants and physical signs linked to allergic tendencies can predict how well a child with bronchiolitis responds to bronchodilators. Children aged 3 to 24 months diagnosed with bronchiolitis will be randomly assigned to receive either a nebulized dose of albuterol sulfate or a placebo solution normal saline. This is a double-blind trial, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers know which treatment is given until after the study. The treatments will be prepared and stored securely in the emergency department. Participants will have their respiratory status assessed before and after the treatment. Researchers will collect samples including blood, urine, DNA from cheek swabs, and nasal swabs to study genetic and clinical responses. The main outcomes measured are changes in respiratory scores immediately after treatment and the relationship between genetic markers and bronchodilator response over about one year. The goal is to develop a prediction model combining clinical and genetic information to better identify children who may benefit from bronchodilator therapy.

Characterization of Bronchodilator Response in Children With Bronchiolitis Using Phenotypic and Genotypic Features