Effects of western medicine and Huangqi Taizishen Chenpi decoction on the treatment of severe pneumonia in children

Abstract

To investigate the effects of Western medicine and Huangqi Taizishen Chenpi decoction on treating severe pneumonia in children. This study involved 100 children diagnosed with severe pneumonia and treated at our hospital from January 2021 to September 2023. They were randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group (n = 50; received Huangqi Taizishen Chenpi decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation) and a control group (n = 50; received conventional Western medical treatment). Then, the clinical outcomes between these two treatment modalities were compared. Among the 100 patients, 71 (71%) were infected by a single pathogen, with respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most common pathogens identified. The experimental group exhibited a significantly higher overall effective treatment rate (98%) compared to the control group (84%) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group had significantly shorter hospital stays (11.30 ± 1.59 days), quicker resolution of lung rales (5.60 ± 1.70 days), and faster symptom improvement times (8.50 ± 1.91 days) than the control group (14.60 ± 2.08 days, 7.80 ± 2.33 days, 10.70 ± 2.13 days respectively) (p < 0.05). Post-treatment lung function tests, including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (2.76 ± 0.50 L), Maximum Mid-Expiratory Flow (MMF)(1.83 ± 0.56 L/s), and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) (2.25 ± 0.46 L), were significantly improved in the experimental group compared to the control group (2.41 ± 0.40 L, 1.43 ± 0.43 L/s, 1.87 ± 0.35 L respectively) (p < 0.05). The rate of adverse reactions in the experimental group was significantly lower (6%) compared to the control group (16%) (p < 0.05). Huangqi Taizishen Chenpi decoction significantly improves treatment outcomes in children with severe pneumonia, reduces the recovery period, and enhances the restoration of bodily functions with fewer adverse reactions, thereby demonstrating promising clinical significance.