Efficacy And Safety Of Levocetirizine For The Treatment In Children Suffering From Chronic Urticaria: A Randomized, Parallel, Multicenter Study

BackgroundChronic urticaria is defined as persistent symptoms of urticaria for6weeks or more. Chronic spontaneous urticaria is more common than others.At any time,0.5–1%of the population suffers from the disease. Althoughall age groups can be affected, the peak incidence is seen between20and40years of age. Acute spontaneous urticaria is the most common clinicalpresentation in childhood,the Chronic spontaneous urticaria is less. Thepathogenesis of Chronic spontaneous urticaria is not clear,it is difficulty totreat.Nonsedating H1-antihistamines are recommended for the treatment ofurticaria by the recent EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF guidelines.The aim of thisstudy was to compare the Efficacy and Safety of levocetirizine for thetreatment in children suffering from chronic urticaria(CU).MethodThis multi-center, randomized, parallel study involved95patients (29on levocetirizine,32on cetirizine and34on loratadine). They will oraldifferent drugs with different doses accrording their age and weight in total 28days.The primary objective was to compare their efficacy on thepruritus severity score after1,2and4week of treatment.The Safetyevaluation based on Boood routine test, hepatic and renal function andECG at the first and the28th day,and the adverse effect during the wholestudy.ResultsThe efficiency of three groups are84.00%on levocetirizine,84.62％on cetirizine,57.14％on loratadine, there is no statistical significance(χ2=4.124，P=0.127) after4weeks. The efficiency of three groups are76.00%on levocetirizine,57.69%on cetirizine,46.43%on loratadine,there is no statistical significance (χ2=4.845，P=0.089) after2weeks. Theefficiency of three groups are76.00%on levocetirizine,38.46%oncetirizine,39.29%on loratadine, there is statistical significance (χ2=9.419，P=0.009) after1week.The rates of side effect are4%on levocetirizine(1headache),3.85%on cetirizine(1appetite decreases),0%on loratadine.There is nosomnolence,dry mouth and weak.et al.There is no Q-T intervalprolongation in all of the three group.There is no statistical significance onWBC,RBC,Hb,PLT,ALT,BUN AND Cr.Only AST have statisticalsignificance,but the mean of AST before and afte study are whin normalrang.ConclusionsLevocetirizine, cetirizine and loratadine are effective and safty for thetreatment in children suffering from chronic urticaria,but levocetirizine ismore excellent than others.