Steroids In Management Of Acute Asthma Exacerbations Clinical Trial
Official title:
Steroids In The Management Of Acute Asthma Exacerbations In Children, Which Form Is More Suitable?
The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of a single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone versus 3 days of twice-daily oral prednisolone in the management of mild to moderate asthma exacerbations in children and test whether this single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg (max. 18 mg) is equal to prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day (max. 40 mg) in the treatment of exacerbations of asthma in children, as measured by the Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM).
This study will be performed in Assiut university Children Hospital and will include patients
with asthma exacerbations presented to the emergency department for three months. All
children presenting to the emergency department with mild to moderate asthma exacerbations
will be assessed to decide if the child needs treatment with salbutamol. Before starting
treatment the Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM), vital signs, and oxygen
saturation will be recorded. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) will also be recorded if the
patient was 6 years or older.
Children with mild to moderate asthma exacerbation will be given the first dose of salbutamol
and will be reassessed after 20 min by the emergency department attending. If further
salbutamol is needed, subjects automatically will receive the second dose 20 min apart and
receive either single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg to a maximum of 18 mg)
or oral prednisolone for 3 days (1 mg/kg to a maximum of 40 mg), given orally .
A repeat physical examination will be performed, including oxygen saturation, vital signs,
PRAM, PEFR after the 3rd dose of salbutamol and at the end of the third day to evaluate the
effect of prednisolone and dexamethasone on the improvement of asthma scores. Patient
compliance to prednisolone therapy for three days will be also recorded.
This study will be performed in Pediatric hospital - Assiut university and will include
patients with asthma exacerbations presented to the emergency department for three months.
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