EFFECTIVENESS OF SINGLE DOSE ORAL DEXAMETHASONE VERSUS MULTIDOSE PREDNISOLONE FOR TREATMENT OF ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OF ASTHMA AMONG CHILDREN ATTENDING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN HOSPITAL, ISLAMABAD

Inclusion Criteria: * i.Ages 2 to 12years ii. Previous history of asthma as diagnosed by a physician. iii. Presentation with acute exacerbation of asthma with symptoms of cough, wheeze, dyspnoea and oxygen saturation of less than 95% and with PRAM score of more than or equal to 6 Exclusion Criteria: * i.Critical or life-threatening asthma i.e. patient with silent chest, cyanosis, drowsy, unable to verbalize, marked tachycardia and respiratory distress. ii.Known TB exposure iii.Fever more than 39. 5°C iv.Use of corticosteroids in previous 4 weeks v.Significant co-morbid disease: lung, cardiac, immune, liver, endocrine, neurological or psychiatric