Imunoglukan P4H^® in the Prevention of Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Childhood

Czech version

Authors: M. Jeseňák ¹; L. Sanislo ²; R. Kuniaková ³; Z. Rennerová ⁴; J. Buchanec ¹; P. Bánovčin ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika detí a dorastu, Centrum experimentálnej a klinickej respirológie, Univerzita Komenského ; Jesseniova lekárska fakulta v Martine, Univerzitná nemocnica Martin prednosta prof. MUDr. P. Bánovčin, CSc. ¹; Onkologický ústav sv. Alžbety, s. r. o., Bratislava prednosta doc. MUDr. J. Kaušitz, CSc. ²; Pleuran, s. r. o., Bratislava riaditeľ JUDr. J. Gabriž ³; Pneumo-Alergo Centrum, n. z. z., Bratislava prednosta doc. MUDr. M. Brezina, CSc. ⁴
Published in: Čes-slov Pediat 2010; 65 (11): 639-647.
Category: Original Papers

Overview

Background:
Respiratory diseases are among the most common ailments in paediatric clinical practice. Children often present with recurrent upper or lower respiratory tract infections. Beta-glucans are potent natural immunomodulators that have been proven effective in multiple studies for the treatment and prevention of various conditions caused by disturbances in the immune system.

Aim:
The aim of our open clinical trial was the evaluation of the effect of Imunoglukan P4H^® syrup on the frequency and some selected characteristics of recurrent respiratory infections in childhood.

Patients and methods:
Our study group consisted of 215 children (mean age 4.7±1.9 years) selected by 28 paediatricians from the Slovak and Czech Republics. The enrolment criterion was at least 5 infections of the upper airways in the last year. The paediatricians filled out the case report form for each study subject, providing baseline and end-of-study data. Patients took Imunoglukan P4H^® syrup at the standard once-daily dose of 1 mL/5 kg body weight for at least 3 months.

Results:
A positive response to the Imunoglukan P4H^® syrup, i.e. a ≥50% reduction of the frequency of recurrent respiratory infections, was observed in 153 children (71.2%). The average annual incidence of respiratory infections in children with a positive response to Imunoglukan P4H^® therapy was 3.6 and was significantly lower compared to that in unresponsive patients (3.6 vs. 8.9, p<0.001). The therapy did not show statistically significant effect on the frequency of febrile episodes, need for antibiotics or duration of infection. No adverse effects of Imunoglukan P4H^® syrup were reported, with the therapy being very well tolerated.

Conclusions:
The results of our open clinical trial proved the therapeutic and preventive effects of Imunoglukan P4H^® syrup on the frequency of recurrent respiratory infections in childhood. Its potent, targeted and broad immunomodulatory effect involving various immune pathways and its safety make Imunoglukan P4H^® syrup suitable for use in many indications in childhood.

Key words:
children, Imunoglukan P4H^®, immunomodulation, prevention, recurrent respiratory infections

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