Face masks for aerosols-there is more science

A path to successful patient outcomes through aerosol drug delivery to children: a narrative review

Although using aerosolized medications is a mainstay of treatment in children with asthma and other respiratory diseases, there are many issues in terms of device and interface selection, delivery technique and dosing, as well as patient and parental education that have not changed for half a century. Also, due to many aerosol devices and interfaces available on the market and the broad range of patient characteristics and requirements, providing effective aerosol therapy to children becomes a challenge. While aerosol delivery devices are equally effective, if they are age-appropriate and used correctly, the majority of aerosol devices require multiple steps to be used efficiently. Unfortunately, many children with pulmonary diseases have problems with the correct delivery technique and do not gain therapeutic benefits from therapy that result in poor disease management and increased healthcare costs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the current knowledge on aerosol delivery devices used in children and guide clinicians on the optimum device- and interface-selection, delivery technique, and dosing in this patient population. Strategies on how to deliver aerosolized medications in crying and distressed children and how to educate parents on aerosol therapy and promote patient adherence to prescribed medications are also provided. Future directions of aerosol therapy in children should focus on these issues and implement policies and clinical practices that highlight the potential solutions to these problems.

Drug delivery interfaces: A way to optimize inhalation therapy in spontaneously breathing children

There are several different types of drug delivery interfaces available on the market. Using the right interface for aerosol drug delivery to children is essential for effective inhalation therapy. However, clinicians usually focus on selecting the right drug-device combination and often overlook the importance of interface selection that lead to suboptimal drug delivery and therapeutic response in neonates and pediatrics. Therefore, it is necessary to critically assess each interface and understand its advantage and disadvantages in aerosol drug delivery to this patient population. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical assessment of drug delivery interfaces used for the treatment of children with pulmonary diseases by emphasizing advantages and problems associated with their use during inhalation therapy.

Aerosol therapy in children: challenges and solutions

Using aerosolized medications for the treatment of children has gained importance over the years. However, aerosol drug delivery to infants and pediatrics is not an easy task as it has been influenced by many challenges. Most aerosol devices have been designed for use in adults not for children. Therefore, they require some critical assessment in device selection and often a level of adaptation for use with smaller children. It is well documented that each aerosol device and interface that have been used for the treatment of children has its own advantages and challenges in drug delivery. This paper provides a comprehensive review of dosing, drug-device combination, aerosol devices and interfaces used for drug delivery to children with pulmonary diseases. Solutions to the challenges with the aim of optimizing aerosol therapy in this patient population are also discussed.