Single Dose Versus Multiple Doses of Dexamethasone in Children With Acute Bronchiolitis

Inclusion Criteria: * infants 2 to 24 months of age * acute bronchiolitis, defined as first episode of wheezing with upper respiratory infection and respiratory distress * moderate to severe baseline disease severity (Respiratory Distress Index (RDAI) score 6 to 15) * only patients discharged at or shortly after 240 minutes of uniform stabilization therapy will be randomized Exclusion Criteria: * previous wheezing and/or bronchodilator therapy * hospitalization at 240 minutes * critically ill patients needing airway stabilization * patients with low or very high baseline disease severity (RDAI \<5 and \>16) * patients under 8 weeks of age * patients on corticosteroids prior to arrival at Emergency Department * contact with varicella within 21 days * past history of ventilation for greater than 24 hours * existing cardiopulmonary disease, multisystem disease or immunodeficiency * insufficient command of the English language