Montelukast [Singulair], an orally active leukotriene D4antagonist, is effective in preventing asthma attacks triggered by upper respiratory tract infections in children, according to results from an international study presented at the 13th Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society [Vienna, Austria; September− October 2003]. This study, which involved > 500 children aged 2−5 years, showed that treatment with montelukast reduced the incidence of asthma attacks and prolonged the time to patients' first asthma attack, compared with placebo."This is the first time a treatment option for asthma has been proven to be effective at reducing childhood asthma attacks brought on by the common cold,"said the study's lead investigator, Professor Hans Bisgaard from Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.