Lancet
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of a short course of parent-initiated oral prednisolone for viral wheeze in children aged 1-5 years: randomised controlled trial.
Episodic wheeze triggered by viral colds is common in children aged between 1 and 5 years (preschool viral wheeze). Most affected children are asymptomatic by age 6 years. Persistence of wheeze is associated with above-average systemic eosinophil priming. Use of parental-initiated oral prednisolone is recommended at the first sign of preschool viral wheeze. However, evidence for this treatment strategy is conflicting. We therefore aimed to assess the efficacy of a short course of oral prednisolone for preschool viral wheeze, with stratification for systemic eosinophil priming. ⋯ There is no clear benefit of a short course of parent-initiated oral prednisolone for viral wheeze in children aged 1-5 years even in those with above-average eosinophil priming.