A multicenter trial published in a peer-reviewed journal found that azithromycin did not improve acute wheezing symptoms in preschool children compared with placebo in an emergency department setting.
The study, conducted across multiple sites, enrolled children aged 12 to 60 months with acute wheezing. Researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either azithromycin or a placebo, and assessed symptom severity using a standardized score.
Results showed no significant difference in symptom improvement between the two groups, suggesting that azithromycin is not effective for treating acute wheezing in this age group. The findings were consistent across subgroups.
Experts note that these results do not support the routine use of azithromycin for preschool wheezing, and emphasize the need for alternative treatment strategies.
