Table 2

Number of studies and participants reporting adverse events*

Organ systemAE—categoryAE—specificNo of studiesNo of participants
Infection and respiratory
GI
Severe infections51235
(1)Sepsis132
(2)Superinfection2354
(3)UTI1720
(4)Streptococcal infection1129
Systemic infections51635
(1)Fever3963
(2)Common viral/bacterial/fungal infection2792
(3)Varicella31449
Lung/trachea102053
(1)Empyema1600
(2)Pneumonia82051
(3)Respiratory distress22
Upper respiratory tract142457
(1)Bacterial tracheitis51023
(2)Sinusitis2849
(3)Croup2131
(4)Viral parotitis127
(5)Pharyngitis1129
(6)Persistent cough127
(7)Oral thrush3837
(8)Otitis media41173
(9)Ear, nose, throat infection3862
(10)Nasal discharge1720
(11)Eye discharge1720
Voice complaints5794
GI bleeding82669
(1)Bleeding51577
(2)Gross hematochezia1118
(3)Occult blood in stools2292
(4)Dark stools1800
Vomiting276067
(1)Vomiting245983
(2)Nausea6586
(3)Palatability3170
Abdominal pain51332
Diarrhoea81346
(1)Diarrhoea71217
(2)Gastroenteritis1129
CNS and behaviourTremor/jitteriness81274
(1)Tremor71226
(2)Jittery148
Behaviour change142078
(1)Violent behaviour1198
(2)Mood change71430
(3)Hyperactivity2268
(4)Restlessness3297
(5)New sleep problems3408
(6)Emotional distress due to nebulizer mask182
(7)Psychosis11
Headache3291
DermatologicalBurn1198
Integument101954
(1)Hives2199
(2)Rash81954
(3)Eczema1129
(4)Eye irritation2211
(5)Tongue irritation182
(6)Positive weal11
(7)Bleeding from ear1720
Phlebitis132
Endocrine/metabolic and musculoskeletalFluid and electrolyte abnormalities71849
(1)Hyperkalemia1800
(2)Hyperglycemia3154
(3)Glycosuria1125
(4)Sodium retention150
(5)Dehydration1720
Growth6731
Adrenal suppression5249
Bone health5579
CardiovascularArrhythmia3312
(1)Tachycardia2178
(2)Palpitations1134
Hypertension51491
Congestive heart failure150
GeneralGeneral complaints51146
(1)Dizziness187
(2)Pallor2869
(3)Excessive urination1134
(4)Normal tooth eruption156
Haematology, gum bleeding11
Immune system and oncologyImmunosuppression4147
(1)Immunosuppression3146
(2)Tumour cell proliferation11
  • *Each adverse event was clustered into its related organ system; a panel of clinicians ranked each AE category and its corresponding adverse events in order of clinical significance/severity. The organ systems are presented in order of frequency of reporting, beginning with the most frequently reported (ie, infection and respiratory).

  • AE, adverse event; CNS, central nervous system; GI, gastrointestinal; URT, upper respiratory tract.