Therapeutic effect of budesonide, montelukast and azithromycin on post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children

Optimal treatment options for post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) have not yet been established. The present study retrospectively analyzed the effect of budesonide, montelukast and azithromycin on treating PIBO in children <5 years old.. Based on treatment regimen, the cohort was divided into group A and group B. Group A received a combination of budesonide, montelukast and azithromycin for at least 3 months and group B received unconventional treatment (budesonide for nebulization intermittently, prednisone, montelukast and antibiotics if necessary) compared with standard treatment. Tidal pulmonary function and symptoms assessment were performed at diagnosis and after 3 months of therapy. There were no significant differences in the sex, age, pulmonary function and symptoms assessment between groups A and B at diagnosis. However, following 3 months of treatment, the time to peak tidal expiratory flow as a proportion of expiratory time, and volume to peak expiratory flow as a proportion of exhaled volume in group A were significantly higher compared with those in group B. The respiratory rate in group A was significantly lower compared with group B. The symptoms assessment score in group A was significantly higher compared with that of group B. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that combination therapy with budesonide, montelukast and azithromycin improves pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in PIBO children <5 years old. The present study was retrospectively registered on March 22, 2020 with register no. YY202003-008-HB03.