Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA controlled trial of methylprednisolone in the early emergency department treatment of acute asthma in children.
Asthma continues to be a leading cause for pediatric hospitalizations. A study using high-dose intravenous (i.v.) steroids early in the emergency department (ED) care of adults with acute asthma reported a 60% reduction in hospitalization rate. Limited data are available for children. ⋯ No significant differences were found between the admission rates of the MP and P groups (41% MP vs 33% P, P = 0.44, chi 2, 95% CI for decrease in MP vs P groups -28 to +12%). The average hospital stay was shorter for those children treated with MP (79 hours vs 90 hours). We conclude that IV methylprednisolone given as an adjunct to routine ED care of children with acute asthma is unlikely to markedly reduce hospitalization rates.