Efficacy and safety of interferon α-2b spray for herpangina in children: A randomized, controlled trial

•Local application of recombinant interferon α-2b spray showed better performance.•Body temperature of experimental group recovered faster than that in control group.•Recombinant interferon α-2b spray was safe to use. The treatment of acute herpangina is inconsistent. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of interferon α-2b spray versus Ribavirin for this disease. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in eight hospitals in China between 2016 and 2018. 668 patients (1–7 years old) were randomized into an experimental group (treated with Interferon α-2b spray) or control group (received Ribavirin Aerosol). Body temperature returning to normal within 72 h and remaining so for 24 h was the primary outcome; release of oral herpes and adverse events were the secondary outcomes. (1) The average age of onset was 2.5 years old. (2) After 72 h treatment, body temperature of 98.5% patients in experimental group and 94.3% in control group returned to normal and remained so for 24 h (P = 0.004). The differences were greater at 48 h treatment (95.2% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.001) and at 24 h (77.5% vs. 66.5%, P = 0.001). (3) The rate of improved oral herpes in the experimental group was higher than that in control group (46.7% vs.37.1%, P = 0.011). No adverse reaction occurred. Local application of recombinant interferon α-2b spray showed better efficacy for acute herpangina in children. It was safe for use.