title: Does prophylactic use of dexamethasone have a role in reducing post extubation stridor and reintubation in children?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Material and Child Health, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ali Faisal
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.forename: Surrayo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bano
authors.forename: Anwarul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haque
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone