A new medical trial's hoping to bring relief to families whose pre-schoolers suffer from a severe respiratory illness

Maori children are twice as likely to be hospitalised with childhood wheeze, and 30-percent will be readmitted.

The University of Auckland trial involves more than 1000 children across Australasia.

Paediatrician and researcher Dr Cameron Grant says out of those, it involves 160 Maori or Pasifika patients.

He says the trial is important for kiwi families who have been emotionally impacted by repeated hospital admissions for the infection.

Researchers will pitch the medicine to PHARMAC if successful.