A major international study has identified a new treatment that could dramatically reduce asthma attacks in children, offering fresh hope for millions of families worldwide.
The joint research, led by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand in collaboration with Imperial College London, the University of Otago, Starship Children’s Hospital, and the University of Auckland, found that a dual anti-inflammatory inhaler is significantly more effective than the current standard reliever medication.
The year-long trial involved 360 children across New Zealand, who were randomly assigned to use either the combined inhaler or salbutamol — the widely used first-line treatment — whenever they experienced asthma symptoms. The new inhaler contains a combination of budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid that reduces airway inflammation, and formoterol, a rapid-acting bronchodilator that quickly eases breathing difficulties.
The results were striking. Children who used the dual inhaler experienced 45 percent fewer asthma attacks than those given salbutamol. On average, participants using the combined device had just 0.23 attacks per year, compared with 0.41 attacks among those in the salbutamol group. Researchers calculated that, for every 100 children with mild asthma, the new inhaler could prevent 18 asthma attacks annually.
Crucially, the study found no safety concerns. There were no differences between the groups in terms of children’s growth, lung function, or overall asthma control, meaning the combined inhaler did not carry additional side effects.
Dr. Lee Hatter, the study’s lead author, described the findings as “an important step in bridging the knowledge gap between adult and childhood asthma treatments.” He noted that while the benefits of the combined inhaler have long been recognized in adults, this was the first evidence showing that children with mild asthma could achieve the same results.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening. Reducing the frequency and severity of attacks is a key medical priority, both for improving quality of life and for reducing pressure on health systems.
Experts say the findings provide strong evidence for revising international guidelines on pediatric asthma care, aligning them with adult treatment strategies. If adopted, the change could reshape how mild and moderate childhood asthma is managed worldwide.
“This study gives us confidence that a treatment already proven in adults is not only safe but also significantly more effective for children,” Dr. Hatter said. “It has the potential to improve outcomes globally.”
With millions of children living with asthma across the globe, the researchers believe the study could pave the way for a new standard of care, reducing risks and giving families greater reassurance in managing the disease.
