University Hospital Southampton leading £2.3m clinical trial to help treat children with asthma

A major new clinical trial aims to improve treatment for children admitted to hospital with severe asthma attacks.

The trial, which has secured £2.3m in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is led in part by University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and comparing three medicines currently used to treat severe acute asthma in children and young people.

Children admitted to hospital with severe asthma attacks are being randomly assigned one of three established intravenous treatments: aminophylline, magnesium sulphate or salbutamol. Researchers will then monitor how quickly symptoms improve, while also assessing side effects, hospital stay lengths, treatment costs and patient experience.

Dr Katrina Cathie, consultant paediatrician at Southampton Children's Hospital and co-lead of the trial, said: “At the moment, doctors have three options but very little evidence to guide which one works best for each child, leading to variation in practice across the UK and around the globe.

“The evidence collected in this trial should shape future clinical guidelines so patients with severe asthma attacks receive the best possible care.”

Professor Graham Roberts, professor of paediatric allergy and respiratory medicine at the University of Southampton, and honorary consultant paediatrician at UHS, added: “Getting treatments right for children with severe asthma attacks is absolutely critical. These episodes can be life threatening and require urgent, effective care.

“The trial will help ensure we use the treatment that works best and is most acceptable to children and families.”

Asthma affects around 1 in 11 children and young people in the UK, making it the most common long-term condition in this age group. Severe acute asthma is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when symptoms do not respond to standard inhaled reliever medication. It remains a leading cause of childhood hospital admissions nationwide.

Amy took part in the trial with her daughter Bethany, when she was admitted to UHS for a severe asthma attack.

Amy said: “Cold seasons are difficult. Every time they get a little bit poorly, we’re on edge. You’re worried about the impact that it will have on work and family life.

“I really hope that it will help those children going into the emergency department.”

Finding out which medicine is most effective in treating severe asthma attacks will help reduce the time that children and young people spend in hospital. It will also enable clinical teams to deliver faster, more targeted care, ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment with the fewest possible side effects and the best value for money for the NHS.