Use of dexamethasone and prednisone in acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
Children frequently present to my rural emergency department with asthma exacerbations. Should I prescribe systemic corticosteroids? If so, which systemic corticosteroid should I prescribe?


CONCLUSIONS
A short course of steroids is indicated in the treatment of asthma exacerbations. Both prednisone (1 to 2 mg/kg daily for 5 days) and dexamethasone (0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg daily for 1 to 5 days) are effective in reducing hospital admissions and unscheduled return to care, with minimal side effects.
Shefrin
Allan E
AE
Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, USA.
Goldman
Ran D
RD
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011241:Prednisone