title: Pediatric status asthmaticus.
abstract: Status asthmaticus is a frequent cause of admission to a pediatric intensive care unit. Prompt assessment and aggressive treatment are critical. First-line or conventional treatment includes supplemental oxygen, aerosolized albuterol, and corticosteroids. There are several second-line treatments available; however, few comparative studies have been performed and in the absence of good evidence-based treatments, the use of these therapies is highly variable and dependent on local practice and provider preference. In this article the pathophysiology and treatment of status asthmaticus is discussed, and the literature regarding second-line treatments is critically assessed to apply an evidence basis to the treatment of this severe disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106, USA. ccarrol@ccmckids.org
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Sala
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000628:therapy; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D063087:Noninvasive Ventilation / Q000379:methods; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013224:Status Asthmaticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol