A Literature Review on the use of Dornase Alfa in Pediatric Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Illnesses other than Cystic Fibrosis

Mucus plugging is associated with several lower respiratory tract illnesses in the pediatric population. Majority of lower respiratory tract illnesses are treated with supportive care and lacks effective curative options. Dornase alfa, a mucolytic agent often used in patients with cystic fibrosis, was theorized to have benefits in other respiratory conditions such as bronchiolitis, asthma, and atelectasis seen in mechanically-ventilated patients. Clinical studies performed thus far, however, did not show any clinical significance in using this regimen for majority of these indications. The only potential use of dornase alfa is in mechanically-ventilated patients who have developed atelectasis, but 3-7% hypertonic saline should be utilized first due to its reduced cost and its similar efficacy to dornase alfa.

Keywords: Asthma; bronchiolitis; dornase alfa; pediatrics; pulmonary atelectasis.