title: A corticosteroid program for prevention of hospitalization for status asthmaticus in children.
abstract: This study assessed the efficacy of an outpatient course of prednisone in the treatment of acute asthma, as a method of preventing hospitalization for status asthmaticus. From September-November 1984, 181 courses of prednisone were utilized by children for acute exacerbations of asthma inadequately controlled by bronchodilators and inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate or cromolyn. The dose of prednisone was 1 mg/kg/day for five days with a maximum of 40 mg/day. Only ten children required hospitalization for status asthmaticus. Privately insured patients and non-privately insured patients accounted for 61 and 120 of the prednisone courses, respectively, of which five children from each group required hospitalization. The data suggest that short-term administration of prednisone for exacerbations of asthma was valuable in decreasing the need for hospitalization for asthma among bronchodilator-treated asthmatics. Further, patients from families without private hospitalization insurance appear as amenable to prednisone-intervention as privately insured patients.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013224:Status Asthmaticus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline; D011241:Prednisone