title: Efficacy of nebulized L-epinephrine for treatment of croup: a randomized, double-blind study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of L-epinephrine plus dexamethasone vs. dexamethasone for treatment of croup in children. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was implemented on 174 patients with croup, aged from 6 months to 6 years, and admitted to the Amir Kabir Pediatric Hospital (Arak, Iran). After randomized allocation, patients were administered dexamethasone, and then, they received either saline or L-epinephrine. Westley croup scores, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were recorded every half an hour for a total of 120 min. There was a significant difference in mean of croup scores between two groups (P < 0.009). In addition, a significant difference was seen on mean of heart rate between two groups (P < 0.026). Our results showed a considerable difference in reduction of velocity of croup scores in patients who received nebulized L-epinephrine compared to patients who received placebo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Amirkabir Hospital, Rah Ahan Square, Shiroodi Blvd, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eghbali
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Amirkabir Hospital, Rah Ahan Square, Shiroodi Blvd, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabbagh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahador
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bagheri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Amirkabir Hospital, Rah Ahan Square, Shiroodi Blvd, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taherahmadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Amirkabir Hospital, Rah Ahan Square, Shiroodi Blvd, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Manijeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahbazi
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003440:Croup / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: L-epinephrine; Westley croup score; children; croup