Les antileucotriènes et asthme chez l'enfant d'âge préscolaire

Abstract

Leukotrienes are potent inducers of bronchoconstriction and mediators of inflammation, and they increase vascular permeability and mucus production. These substances potentiate the influx of inflammatory cells in the airways of patients with asthma. Leukotriene synthesis inhibitors and receptor antagonists—antileukotrienes—are among the new class of antiasthmatic drugs. There are at present few published studies on the treatment of preschool children with antileukotrienes. While they seem to be effective in the management of chronic asthma and perhaps in the treatment of infants with virus-induced wheezing, it is still difficult to place them in the treatment of asthma in preschool children. Further evaluation and clinical experience should allow us to determine their place in the treatment of children with asthma.