A Prospective Trial of BiPAP Administration vs. Non-positive Pressure Therapy for Pediatric Status Asthmaticus

Inclusion Criteria: * Primary diagnosis of asthma exacerbation * Admitted to Cohen Children's Medical Center (CCMC) PICU * CCMC respiratory severity score of 6 or higher at the time of enrollment * Prior history of asthma or reactive airway disease Exclusion Criteria: * No prior history of asthma or reactive airway disease * Facial or airway anomalies precluding BiPAP mask use * Tracheostomy * Lack of airway protective reflexes * Neurologic or musculoskeletal abnormalities affecting respiration * Underlying cardiovascular problems that may be negatively affected by positive pressure ventilation * Intracranial problems (such as in the setting of head injury) that may be negatively affected by positive pressure ventilation * Respiratory compromise for which emergent endotracheal intubation or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation is warranted as determined by the on-service attending physician