Montelukast for Chronic Asthma in 6- to 14-Year-Old Children

Abstract

ASTHMA IS the most common chronic illness of childhood, affecting approximately 10% of children.¹ In the United States alone, approximately 2.2 million ambulatory care visits per year are made by children for the treatment of asthma.² Worldwide, the prevalence of childhood asthma and hospitalizations for it are increasing.³ Current therapies for the treatment of asthma in children have limitations (eg, requiring inhalations, multiple daily administrations, or plasma drug level monitoring). Accordingly, new therapies that are effective, well tolerated, and easily administered would be advantageous in the treatment of childhood asthma.