A metered dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer provides the optimal system for delivery of maintenance therapy for childhood asthma. Correct utilization of inhalation devices is a key factor in childhood asthma management. Optimum spacer use improves asthma management and reduces the wastage of drugs, which results from poor inhaler technique. Subjects were children, 7 to 12 years old, with mild-to-moderate asthma attending an outpatient University Hospital specialty clinic for asthma. A representative sample of 150 was obtained randomly. All subjects were trained by nurses and/or physicians in the skills for delivery of their medicines. An allergist completed a rating scale (MDI + Spacer Check List) after a three-month period for the children, with 50 using Aerochamber, 50 using Nebuhaler, and 50 using Volumatic. Depending on the spacer used, 48% to 50% of the children failed to demonstrate the critical skills for delivering medicine to the airways. Our results showed that many asthmatic children use their inhaler devices poorly even after proper training for inhalation techniques. Therefore, inhalation skills intervention in asthmatic children should be routinely implemented in every follow-up.

Keywords: astım, çocukluk çağı, inhalasyon becerisi, ara kamara, childhood asthma, inhaler devices, therapy, spacer