Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials of MDIs with conventional SVN treatment were included.
Specific interventions included in the review
MDIs and ADs compared with the current standard of care, i.e. SVNs. Only drug aerosols used in the USA were included.
Participants included in the review
Children with acute asthma, aged from 0.5 to 18 years, were included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Clinical outcome, oxyhaemoglobin saturation and pulmonary function were assessed.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two reviewers and three external reviewers (who were board-certified in paediatric pulmonology, paediatric allergy and paediatric emergency medicine) were involved in decisions about the inclusion or exclusion of eligible studies.