Corticosteroid Use in Management of Pediatric Emergency Conditions

Points & Pearls Excerpt

• For children hospitalized with asthma, experts recommend oral prednisone/prednisolone at 1 to 2 mg/kg/day (max, 60 mg/day), in 2 divided doses, for 3 to 5 days. For children with asthma who present to the emergency department (ED), 1 to 2 daily doses of oral dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg have been shown to be equivalent, with better tolerance and compliance.
• Inhaled corticosteroids are indicated for long-term control of asthma but are not efficacious in acute exacerbations.
•  Systemic corticosteroids are indicated to improve morbidity and decrease hospitalizations for croup. Oral dexamethasone therapy is preferred, at doses ranging from 0.15 mg/kg to 0.6 mg/kg (these doses have been shown to have equal efficacy).

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