Highly adherent essential oils compositions for the prevention and complex treatment of ARIs in pre-school children

Aim: to assess the efficacy of the composition of natural essential oils (inhaler patch) for the prevention and complex treatment of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in pre-school children. Patients and Methods: this prospective study enrolled 102 children aged 3–7 attending kindergarten. The study was conducted simultaneously in four groups of children attending pre-schools (study and control groups, respectively). Study group children received passive inhalations of essential oils (inhaler patches), i.e., in combination with complex treatment for ARIs (group 1) or as a preventive measure after contact with sick children (group 3). Control group children (groups 2 and 4) did not receive passive inhalations. The rate of ARIs, disease severity, fever duration, catarrhal period duration, and inhaler patch tolerability were assessed. Results: in children who used inhaler patch to prevent ARI but still got sick (group 3), fever duration was 1.5 days (i.e., 2.3 days shorter than in group 4) irrespective of age. The number of sick children in group 3 was 2.2-times lower than in group 4. The disease was mild, not associated with any complications, and characterized by a shorter duration of the catarrhal period. In group 1 (compared to group 2), body temperature was less than 38°C, and more rapid rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and cough relief were reported. Conclusions: our findings, in combination with the lack of adverse effects, allow us to recommend an inhaler patch to prevent ARIs during epidemics or seasonal peaks in pre-schools as a highly adherent entity characterized by excellent safety, no addiction, and long-term use. KEYWORDS: prevention, ARIs, essential oils, children, efficacy, inhaler patch. FOR CITATION: Sergeeva I.V. Highly adherent essential oils compositions for the prevention and complex treatment of ARIs in pre-school children. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2022;5(1):58–62 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2022-5-1-58-62.