Pentoxifylline as an Adjuvant Therapy in the Treatment of Pediatric Pneumonia; A New Perspective of an Old Drug

Pentoxifylline as an Adjuvant Therapy in the Treatment of Pediatric Pneumonia; A New Perspective of an Old Drug

Pentoxifylline is a xanthine-derived, commercially produced drug approved for the management of intermittent claudication in patients suffering from a chronic occlusive arterial disease of the limbs. Pentoxifylline has been documented to display anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, as well as some antithrombotic and antiviral effects. This drug has also been shown to reduce lung fibrosis in patients with COVID-19, as well as to prevent thromboembolic events. This work aims to assess the benefit of oral Pentoxifyllin supplementation, in addition to standard antibiotic and other supportive therapy, in the management of hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia

This is a randomized clinical trial study that will be carried out on 100 children with Community-acquired pneumonia admitted to the Pulmonology Unit, Pediatric department.

Group 1: Pentoxifylline group, and group 2: Control group

Inclusion Criteria:

• All children aged 2 months -18 years with community-acquired pneumonia diagnosed by signs and symptoms of CAP including; chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, or abnormal auscultatory findings plus focal findings on chest x-ray indicating community-acquired pneumonia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with immunodeficiency, chronic lung disease, malignancy, congenital lung anomalies, underlying disorders impacting respiration i.e. genetic, metabolic, neuromuscular disorders, and children with CHD affecting the pulmonary blood flow.