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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Effect single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg to a maximum of 18 mg) in the treatment of mild to moderate acute asthma exacerbations in children
Effect of prednisolone for 3 days (1 mg/kg to a maximum of 40 mg), given orally in two devided doses in the treatment of mild to moderate acute asthma exacerbations in children.
Assiut University
Asyut, Egypt
The Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM)
The Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) , a validated, responsive and reliable tool to determine asthma severity in children aged 2 to 16 years, appears to be the most appropriate as an application in the emergency care setting . The PRAM score consists of five components and has a maximum total of 12 points: suprasternal retractions (0 to 2), scalene muscle contraction (0 to 2), air entry (0 to 3), wheezing (0 to 3) and O2 saturation (0 to 2) .
Time frame: PRAM score is assessed at the end of the third day to evaluate the effect of prednisolone and dexamethasone on the improvement of asthma scores.
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Enrollment
50