Montelukast as add-on therapy in children with obstructive bronchitis

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Created On: 01/04/2026

Acute respiratory diseases remain a major contributor to childhood morbidity worldwide, with pediatric obstructive bronchitis being one of the most common and clinically challenging ailments.

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Key take away

Montelukast add-on therapy significantly improves symptom resolution and airway obstruction in pediatric obstructive bronchitis.

Background

Acute respiratory diseases remain a major contributor to childhood morbidity worldwide, with pediatric obstructive bronchitis being one of the most common and clinically challenging ailments. This disorder is characterized by bronchial inflammation, airway narrowing, wheezing, and breathing difficulty, often leading to recurrent episodes and potential complications.

Its etiology in children includes viral infections, bacterial pathogens, allergic triggers, environmental toxins, and underlying chronic respiratory disorders. Due to its complex clinical course, optimizing treatment strategies for pediatric bronchitis is fundamental. This study sought to enhance treatment outcomes in children with obstructive bronchitis by determining the potency of montelukast sodium as an adjunct therapy to standard treatment.

Method

In total, 48 pediatrics with obstructive bronchitis admitted to tertiary care centers were included. Volunteers were divided into two groups:

Control group (n=24): Received standard therapy for obstructive bronchitis
Intervention group (n=24): Received montelukast sodium in combination with standard treatment

Clinical outcomes were assessed by comparing symptom duration, severity, and overall disease progression between the two groups, while also considering variations in disease presentation.

Result

The findings revealed a strong association between underlying comorbid conditions and disease severity in pediatric patients. Importantly, children receiving standard therapy alone experienced prolonged symptoms, including persistent cough, wheezing, and respiratory distress, compared to those treated with montelukast add-on therapy. Also, the intervention group demonstrated faster clinical recovery and improved symptom resolution, highlighting the effectiveness of the modified therapeutic approach.

Conclusion

Integration of montelukast sodium into combination therapy for pediatric obstructive bronchitis remarkably enhanced treatment outcomes. By acting as a leukotriene receptor antagonist, montelukast successfully reduced airway inflammation, bronchospasm, and mucosal edema, leading to improved respiratory function.