Clinical efficacy analysis of rock salt aerosol inhalation therapy as an adjuvant treatment for community-acquired pneumonia in children

WANG Tian-yue; ZHANG Han; WANG Xiao-yan; LI Xiang; ZHANG Qin-zhen; YANG Zhao-rui; CHEN Ning; SHAN Li-shen; LI Miao; SHANG Yun-xiao

doi:10.19538/j.ek2025060612

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of rock salt aerosol inhalation therapy for community-acquired pneumonia in children.Methods A single-center,randomized,controlled clinical trial design was used,involving 60 hospitalized children aged 3-14 with community-acquired pneumonia,who were hospitalized for treatment in Pediatric Respiratory Department of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University from Jan.2024 to Jun.2024.These children were divided into control and experimental groups in a 1∶1 ratio.The experimental group received basic disease treatment along with rock salt aerosol inhalation,using the portable rock salt aerosol therapy device produced by Jiangsu Chunfan Biotechnology Co.,Ltd.(YQ-S101),once a day,30 minutes per time.The control group received basic disease treatment along with 1mg nebulized budesonide suspension for inhalation,twice a day.Treatment was ended after 7 days or when clinical symptom score reached 0.The efficacy and safety of rock salt aerosol therapy were observed.The symptom scores of daytime and nighttime cough,expectoration and wheezing before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.The changes in serum inflammatory factors(CRP,PCT,serum IL-4,IL-6,IL-10,IL-17,TNF-α,IFN-γ levels)were compared,and adverse reactions during medication were collected.Results Both the experimental and control groups showed a decrease in the symptom scores of cough,sputum and wheezing,and the total symptom scores after treatment compared to before(P＜0.01),but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Through scatter plot analysis,it was found that 2 children in the experimental group(7.4％)and 7 children in the control group(24.1％)still had significant symptoms(both total scores＞2)after treatment.Whether the total symptom score was greater than 2 was used as the dependent variable,and regression analysis was conducted,which revealed a negative correlation between the experimental group and symptom total score,but the correlation was not significant(r=-1.381,P=0.1057).After treatment,the levels of CRP,PCT,and IL-6 significantly decreased in both the experimental and control groups compared to before treatment(P＜0.01),while other inflammatory factors(serum IL-4,IL-10,IL-17,TNF-α,IFN-γ levels)showed no significant differences before and after treatment(P＜0.05).Significant differences were observed in the change of PCT between the two groups before and after treatment(P=0.016),while the changes in CRP and IL-6 were not significant(P＞0.05).No adverse events occurred in either group during the trial.Conclusion Rock salt aerosol inhalation therapy as an adjuvant treatment for community-acquired pneumonia in children is equivalent to nebulized budesonide suspension for inhalation in terms of efficacy,both demonstrating good effectiveness and safety.