RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Respiratory viruses are increasingly detected in children with community-acquired pneumonia. Further strategies to limit antibiotic use in children with viral pneumonia are warranted. AIM: To explore clinical efficacy of budesonide/formoterol inhalation powder for viral pneumonia in children and its impact on cellular immunity and inflammatory factor production. METHODS: A total of 60 children with viral pneumonia were recruited: 30 receiving budesonide/formoterol inhalation powder and 30 conventional symptomatic treatment. Outcome measures included peripheral blood levels of inflammatory cytokines, CD4+, CD8+, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg, clinical efficacy, and incidence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the observation group showed a significant reduction in interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels after treatment. Compared with the control group, the observation group showed a significant increase in CD4+/CD8+ and Th1/Th2 levels, and a decrease in Th17/Treg levels after treatment. The total effective rates in the observation group and the control group were 93.75% and 85.00%, respectively, which was a significant difference (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Budesonide/formoterol inhalation powder significantly improved therapeutic efficacy for viral pneumonia in children. The mechanism of action may be related to downregulation of the inflammatory response and improved cellular immune function.