Effect of a combination of interferon-α and ambroxol on children with pneumonia, and on serum amyloid A: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of combination of interferon-a with ambroxol on children with pneumonia, and its effect on serum amyloid A (SAA). Methods: A total of 140 children who presented with pneumonia in Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2019 to November 2020 were selected and randomly assigned to control group and study group. All the children were treated with conventional therapy against cough and phlegm, anti-infection, oxygen inhalation, antipyretic, water and electrolyte correction, and nutritional support. The control group received aerosol inhalation of ambroxol + physiological saline, in addition to conventional treatment. The study group was given aerosol inhalation of recombinant human interferon-α1b + ambroxol + physiological saline. The two groups were treated continuously for 7 days. The time taken for clinical symptoms to subside in each group, as well as serum levels of amyloid A (SAA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) before treatment and 7 days post-treatment were evaluated. Clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions after 7 days of treatment were also obtained and compared. Results: The time taken for symptom disappearance was significantly shorter in the study group than in control group, and inflammation indices were lower in the study group than in control group (p < 0.05). Levels of IgA, IgM, and IgG in the two groups after treatment were significantly elevated, but they were markedly higher in the observation group than in control group (p < 0.05). Clinical treatment efficacy was superior in the study group, relative to control (p < 0.05). However, no statistical disparity in incidence of adverse reactions was witnessed between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A combination of interferon-α1b and Ambroxol may be a boon in the treatment of children with pneumonia due to its efficacy and effect on inflammatory response and SAA levels.