Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of All Enrolled Infants
| Characteristic | Magnesium Group | Placebo Group |
|---|---|---|
| Total patients | n = 80 | n = 82 |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | n = 40/40 | n = 41/41 |
| Eczema in patient, No. (%) | 13 (33) | 18 (44) |
| Family history of asthma in first-degree relatives | 27 (68) | 31 (76) |
| Age, mean ± SD, mo | 4 ± 3 | 5 ± 4 |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 4 ± 2/5 ± 4 | 5 ± 3/5 ± 4 |
| Duration of symptoms before enrollment, mean ± SD, d | 4 ± 3 | 4 ± 3 |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 5 ± 3/4 ± 2 | 5 ± 3/4 ± 3 |
| Male:female | 58:22 | 48:34 |
| Male:female with/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 30:10/28:12 | 20:21/28:13 |
| Baseline Wang bronchiolitis severity score, mean ± SD | 7 ± 1 | 7 ± 1 |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 7 ± 1/7 ± 1 | 7 ± 1/7 ± 1 |
| Baseline oxygen saturation, mean ± SD, % | 97 ± 2 | 97 ± 2 |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 97 ± 2/97 ± 2 | 96 ± 2/97 ± 2 |
| Baseline magnesium level, mean ± SD, mmol/L | 0.88 ± 0.06 | 0.89 ± 0.07 |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 0.88 ± 0.05/0.88 ± 0.07 | 0.88 ± 0.07/0.90 ± 0.07 |
| Positive PCR in nasopharyngeal swab, No. (%) | 64 (80) | 76 (92.6) |
| RSV | 26 (32.5) | 30 (36.6) |
| Other virusesa | 18 (22.5) | 21 (25.6) |
| > 1 virus | 20 (25) | 25 (30.5) |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 31 (77.5)/33 (82.5) | 37 (90.2)/39 (95.1) |
| RSV | 9 (22.5)/17 (42.5) | 12 (29.3)/18 (43.9) |
| Other virusesa | 10 (25)/8 (20) | 11 (26.8)/10 (24.4) |
| > 1 virus | 12 (30)/8 (20) | 14 (34.1)/11 (26.8) |
| Chest radiograph, No. (%) | ||
| Normal | 28 (35.4) | 39 (48.1) |
| Lobar consolidation/collapse | 21 (26.6) | 13 (16) |
| Lesser infiltrates | 28 (35.4) | 28 (34.6) |
| Pneumothorax/pleural effusion | 2 (2.5) | 1 (1.2) |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | ||
| Normal | 15 (38.5)/13 (32.5) | 21 (51.2)/18 (45) |
| Lobar consolidation/collapse | 11 (28.2)/10 (25) | 7 (17.1)/6 (15) |
| Lesser infiltrates | 13 (33.3)/15 (37.5) | 12 (29.3)/16 (40) |
| Pneumothorax and/or pleural effusion | 0/2 (5) | 1 (2.4)/0 |
| Patients needed antibiotics during hospitalization, No. (%) | 15 (18.8) | 16 (19.5) |
| With/without history of eczema and/or family history of asthma | 7 (17.5)/8 (20) | 8 (19.5)/8 (19.5) |
PCR = polymerase chain reaction; RSV = respiratory syncytial virus.
a
Adenovirus, bocavirus, coronavirus, human metapneumovirus, influenza and parainfluenza viruses, and rhinovirus.