[Additive effect of intravenous prednisolone for acute severe asthma in infants and toddlers: a randomized controlled clinical trial].
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of systemic corticosteroids for infants and toddlers with acute severe asthma has been inadequately evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the additive efficacy of intravenous prednisolone in a randomized controlled study in the management of infants and toddlers with acute severe asthma.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients (aged 8 to 70 months) hospitalized with status asthmaticus were studied. They were randomized into two groups. One group received intravenous prednisolone treatment (1 approximately 3 mg/kg/day, 3 days); the other group served as a control. Each group received continuous aminophylline infusion and low-dose continuous isoproterenol inhalation by an Inspiron nebulizer. They were monitored their heart rate, respiratory rate and symptoms (Wood's clinical score).


RESULTS
Each group showed rapid improvement in heart rate, respiratory rate and clinical score by low-dose continuous isoproterenol inhalation. There were no significant differences in the time course of these clinical indexes or the duration of aminophylline infusion, continuous isoproterenol inhalation and hospital stay.


CONCLUSIONS
This study failed to confirm the additive benefit of intravenous prednisolone in the management of infants and toddlers with acute severe asthma.
Aoyagi
Masahiko
M
Department of Pediatrics, National Shimoshizu Hospital, Japan. cfy27505@simosizu.hosp.go.jp
Kojima
Hiroyuki
H
Sato
Kazuki
K
Watanabe
Hiroko
H
Sekine
Kunio
K
Nishimuta
Toshiyuki
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013224:Status Asthmaticus / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000628:Aminophylline; D011239:Prednisolone; D007545:Isoproterenol