Montelukast With Status Asthmaticus, Ages 2-5

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant's parent/legal guardian must give written informed consent prior to study participation. When appropriate, written assent from the child will also be obtained.
• Participant, male or female, must be 2 to 5 years of age.
• Participant must have a history of reactive airway disease (RAD) or asthma, and must currently be admitted for an acute exacerbation of RAD or asthma.
• Primary physician must believe that patient would benefit from improved bronchodilation and improvement in clinical asthma severity score.
• Participant must have received standard therapy for status asthmaticus: Oxygen as needed; 3 nebulized albuterol treatments of at least 2.5mg/dose; Methylprednisolone or prednisone loading dose of 2mg/kg; Ongoing methylprednisolone therapy @ 0.5mg/kg every 6

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known hypersensitivity to montelukast
• Chronic lung disease
• Cardiac or pulmonary congenital anomalies
• Known renal disease
• Known hepatic disease
• Known immunologic disorders other than allergy and atopy
• Other explanations for respiratory distress
• Use of leukotriene modifiers within 2 weeks of the acute presentation
• Intubated patients