Receive an intravenous infusion to help treat a severe asthma attack in the emergency department

Recruiting

What is this trial?

This trial is testing , a mineral that may help relieve severe asthma attacks in children. Researchers want to see whether giving this medication through an IV (a thin tube in the vein) after initial emergency asthma treatment helps children breathe better and recover more quickly. Half the children will receive the medication and half will receive salt water (a placebo) to compare results.

Some children have asthma attacks that don't improve enough with standard emergency treatments like inhalers and steroids. Doctors believe this medication might help those children breathe easier, but they need to run this study to prove it actually works and is safe.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 2 and 17 years old
you have been diagnosed with asthma by a doctor
your asthma attack is still moderate to severe after receiving three doses of inhaled rescue medicine in the emergency department

You likely don't qualify if…

you received intravenous magnesium within the 24 hours before arriving at the emergency department
you need immediate breathing support like a breathing machine when you arrive at the hospital
you have kidney, heart, lung, or neurological disease that might affect how your body handles this medication
you are allergic to magnesium sulfate
you or your family cannot speak English or French well enough to understand the study

What participation looks like

If you join this study, you'll come to the emergency department where you'll first receive standard asthma treatment (inhalers and steroids). Then a research nurse will give you either the magnesium medication or salt water through an IV over 30 minutes. You'll be monitored closely for 3 hours in the emergency department, with the nurse checking your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. You may also receive other asthma medicines recommended by your doctor during this time. Finally, the research team will follow up with you by phone or email 72 hours after you leave the hospital.

Testing intravenous magnesium to help children recover from severe asthma attacks

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(6 sites)