The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis

BackgroundThe aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating Mycoplasma pneumonia in children.MethodsWe systematically searched eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (...

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Main Authors: Yinan He, Rongmei Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1574257/full
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author Yinan He
Rongmei Huang
author_facet Yinan He
Rongmei Huang
author_sort Yinan He
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating Mycoplasma pneumonia in children.MethodsWe systematically searched eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating Mycoplasma pneumonia in children, from database inception through December 2024, and performed data analysis using a random-effects model.ResultsThe 29 RCTs involving 4,300 children were conducted. The experimental group received acetylcysteine plus budesonide treatment, while the comparison group received budesonide alone. Results showed the experimental group had a significantly higher overall clinical efficacy rate (RR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.13–1.20, I2 = 16%). The experimental group also had a significantly lower incidence of diarrhea (RR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.05–0.54, I2 = 0%), with no significant difference in other adverse events. The experimental group had significantly shorter times to resolution of cough (SMD = −2.11, 95% CI = −2.65 to −1.57, I2 = 97%), moist rale (SMD = −1.91, 95% CI = −2.50 to −1.33, I2 = 97%), and fever (SMD = −1.70, 95% CI = −2.26 to −1.14, I2 = 95%). Post-treatment, the experimental group had significantly lower C-reactive protein levels (SMD = −1.44, 95% CI = −1.92 to −0.97, I2 = 91%).ConclusionCompared with budesonide monotherapy, acetylcysteine combined with budesonide significantly improved the clinical efficacy in children with Mycoplasma pneumonia while not increasing the risk of adverse events, and represents a safe and effective treatment option.
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spelling doaj-art-54fa206aaae447958237cf60be02ed322025-08-20T02:36:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-06-011310.3389/fped.2025.15742571574257The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysisYinan He0Rongmei Huang1Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Ya'an People’s Hospital, Ya'an, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ya'an People’s Hospital, Ya'an, ChinaBackgroundThe aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating Mycoplasma pneumonia in children.MethodsWe systematically searched eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating Mycoplasma pneumonia in children, from database inception through December 2024, and performed data analysis using a random-effects model.ResultsThe 29 RCTs involving 4,300 children were conducted. The experimental group received acetylcysteine plus budesonide treatment, while the comparison group received budesonide alone. Results showed the experimental group had a significantly higher overall clinical efficacy rate (RR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.13–1.20, I2 = 16%). The experimental group also had a significantly lower incidence of diarrhea (RR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.05–0.54, I2 = 0%), with no significant difference in other adverse events. The experimental group had significantly shorter times to resolution of cough (SMD = −2.11, 95% CI = −2.65 to −1.57, I2 = 97%), moist rale (SMD = −1.91, 95% CI = −2.50 to −1.33, I2 = 97%), and fever (SMD = −1.70, 95% CI = −2.26 to −1.14, I2 = 95%). Post-treatment, the experimental group had significantly lower C-reactive protein levels (SMD = −1.44, 95% CI = −1.92 to −0.97, I2 = 91%).ConclusionCompared with budesonide monotherapy, acetylcysteine combined with budesonide significantly improved the clinical efficacy in children with Mycoplasma pneumonia while not increasing the risk of adverse events, and represents a safe and effective treatment option.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1574257/fullmycoplasma pneumoniachildrenacetylcysteinebudesonidecurative effectmeta-analysis
spellingShingle Yinan He
Rongmei Huang
The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis
Frontiers in Pediatrics
mycoplasma pneumonia
children
acetylcysteine
budesonide
curative effect
meta-analysis
title The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis
title_full The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis
title_fullStr The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis
title_short The efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis
title_sort efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine combined with budesonide nebulization in treating mycoplasma pneumonia in children a meta analysis
topic mycoplasma pneumonia
children
acetylcysteine
budesonide
curative effect
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1574257/full
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