Does prophylactic use of dexamethasone have a role in reducing post extubation stridor and reintubation in children?
All children aged from 4 weeks to <5 year, were intubated for at least 48 hours [n=51] during 6 months. Data of the patients treated with DEX (0.5 ml/kg every 6 hours for 3 doses, beginning 6-12 hours prior to extubation) (n=30) were compared with control patients (who had not received medication) (n=21). The DEX and control groups were similar in age i.e., mean ages of DEX group were 16.85+/-14 months, and that of control group were 19.02 +/- 19 months, mean duration of intubation and mechanical ventilation in DEX group was 5.17 +/- 4.58 days, and that in control group was 3.98 +/- 3.60 days. There was no significant difference between DEX and control group in the incidence of postextubation stridor [17% (5/30) vs. 10% (2/21); p = 0.5] and the reintubation rate [7% (2/30) vs. 10% (2/21); p = 0.7]. Our data revealed that the prophylactic use of dexamethasone in planned extubation of high risk children were not effective.
Saleem
Ali Faisal
AF
Department of Material and Child Health, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Bano
Surrayo
S
Haque
Anwarul
A
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000209:etiology; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone