Safety and Usefulness of a Novel eMotion® Electric Mesh Nebulizer in Children with Asthma

ABSTRACTBackgroundA new electronic mesh nebulizer, eMotion® is known to have higher performance compared to conventional nebulizers. However, there are some concerns about whether too much delivered dose might cause side effects with higher frequency.MethodsTo evaluate the safety and usefulness of the nebulizer, we measured changes in heart rates and lung functions of 73 asthmatic children when they inhaled 1 μg/kg of procaterol with eMotion® or a conventional nebulizer, Junior BOY®.ResultsIn 34 children with mild asthma exacerbation, physical findings, lung function and transcutaneous oxygen saturation levels were improved after inhalation using both nebulizers. No adverse effects including significant increase of heart rate were found. Improvements in the rates of the parameters were comparable. When response to beta2-agonist inhalation was checked in 39 children in stable condition, similar degrees of improvement in lung function were observed, and heart rates did not change after inhalation with either nebulizers.ConclusionsSafety and efficacy was comparable between eMotion® and a conventional nebulizer when it was used to administer beta2-agonists in asthmatic children. However, from the fact that eMotion® needs only 3–4 minutes to inhale 2 mL solution, eMotion® could be more useful for most children who usually do not prefer longer inhalation time with conventional compressor nebulizers.