The Comparative Effectiveness of Prednisolone and Dexamethasone for Children With Croup: A Community-Based Randomized Trial

Background. Although common practice, evidence to support treatment of croup with prednisolone is scant. Methods. We conducted a community-based randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of prednisolone (2 mg/kg/d for 3 days, n = 41) versus 1 dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) and 2 doses of plac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical pediatrics 2013-11, Vol.52 (11), p.1014-1021
Main Authors: Garbutt, Jane M., Conlon, Bridget, Sterkel, Randall, Baty, Jack, Schechtman, Kenneth B., Mandrell, Kathy, Leege, Erin, Gentry, Shannon, Stunk, Robert C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - administration & dosage
Child, Preschool
Children & youth
Clinical trials
Comparative analysis
Comparative Effectiveness Research
Croup - drug therapy
Dexamethasone - administration & dosage
Effectiveness studies
Humans
Infant
Pediatrics
Prednisolone - administration & dosage
Respiratory diseases
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Background. Although common practice, evidence to support treatment of croup with prednisolone is scant. Methods. We conducted a community-based randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of prednisolone (2 mg/kg/d for 3 days, n = 41) versus 1 dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) and 2 doses of placebo (n = 46). Participants were children 1 to 8 years old with croup symptoms ≤48 hours, categorized as mild (42%) or moderate (58%). Results. There were no differences for those treated with dexamethasone or prednisolone for additional health care for croup (2% vs 7%, P = .34), duration of croup symptoms (2.8 vs 2.2 days, P = .63), nonbarky cough (6.1 vs 5.9 days, P = .81), nights with disturbed sleep for the parent (0.68 vs 1.21 nights, P = .55), and days with stress (1.39 vs 1.56 days, P = .51). Conclusion. There were no detected differences in outcomes between the 2 croup treatments for either child or parent.
ISSN:0009-9228
1938-2707
DOI:10.1177/0009922813504823