Health & Lifestyle, Poole | Posted on February 25th, 2026 | return to news

Dorset children invited to trial new asthma inhaler

Six- to 11-year-olds will be able to try a combination inhaler that is not usually available to their age group.

Children with asthma aged six to 11 years are being invited by University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) to test a new inhaler that could improve control and help reduce attacks.

Asthma is a condition that causes breathing difficulties due to swelling of the tubes in the lungs. Children with asthma may cough or wheeze, and some continue to suffer frequent attacks despite the usually effective therapies available.

Asthma symptoms and attacks are normally treated with two inhalers: one that briefly opens the airways and another that helps prevent further attacks. The combination inhaler contains both a long-lasting reliever and a preventer steroid medicine, aiming to relieve immediate symptoms while also tackling underlying inflammation.

Francesca Diaz, UHD child health research nurse, said: “The combo inhaler has been shown to work well in older children and adults. However, this treatment option is not currently available to children under 12 due to insufficient existing clinical trial data. In this study, we will compare the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of the combo inhaler with current treatments, and we have had positive feedback from children currently on the trial.”

After an initial screening appointment by phone, children will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the ‘intervention’ group (switching to the combination inhaler) or the ‘control’ group (continuing with their current inhaler or inhalers).

Children and parents will then attend four appointments over 12 months. The first and final visits (at one year) will take place in person at Poole Hospital’s Children’s Outpatient Department. Follow-up appointments at four and eight months can be conducted by phone.

To find out more about the study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), email uhd.childhealth.research@nhs.net or visit www.careukstudy.uk.