Researchers randomly assigned 840 children aged 18 to 59 months at eight pediatric emergency departments to receive either azithromycin or a placebo for five days. The trial compared breathing and other symptoms after the treatment.
Outcomes were measured with the Asthma Flare-up Diary for Young Children (ADYC), based on parents' daily reports of breathing, coughing, appetite and mood. The results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and were presented at a medical meeting in Orlando.
The trial was stopped early because azithromycin did not improve ADYC scores. Most children had respiratory viruses; slightly more than 86% carried one or more viruses and many had a cold virus.
Difficult words
- assign — to put someone into a group or roleassigned
- placebo — a pill or treatment with no active medicine
- azithromycin — an antibiotic medicine for some infections
- trial — a study to test a medicine or treatment
- respiratory — related to breathing and the lungs
- measure — to check or record size or levelmeasured
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think parents can report a child’s symptoms every day? Why or why not?
- Would you give a child medicine for five days for breathing problems? Explain briefly.
- How do you feel when a treatment does not improve symptoms?
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