The comparative effectiveness of prednisolone and dexamethasone for children with croup: a community-based randomized trial
Jane M Garbutt, Bridget Conlon, Randall Sterkel, Jack Baty, Kenneth B Schechtman, Kathy Mandrell, Erin Leege, Shannon Gentry, Robert C Stunk, Jane M Garbutt, Bridget Conlon, Randall Sterkel, Jack Baty, Kenneth B Schechtman, Kathy Mandrell, Erin Leege, Shannon Gentry, Robert C Stunk
Abstract
Background. Although common practice, evidence to support treatment of croup with prednisolone is scant. Methods. We conducted a community-based randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of prednisolone (2 mg/kg/d for 3 days, n = 41) versus 1 dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) and 2 doses of placebo (n = 46). Participants were children 1 to 8 years old with croup symptoms ≤48 hours, categorized as mild (42%) or moderate (58%). Results. There were no differences for those treated with dexamethasone or prednisolone for additional health care for croup (2% vs 7%, P = .34), duration of croup symptoms (2.8 vs 2.2 days, P = .63), nonbarky cough (6.1 vs 5.9 days, P = .81), nights with disturbed sleep for the parent (0.68 vs 1.21 nights, P = .55), and days with stress (1.39 vs 1.56 days, P = .51). Conclusion. There were no detected differences in outcomes between the 2 croup treatments for either child or parent.
Keywords: croup; dexamethasone; prednisolone; randomized trial.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict of Interest: None of the authors report any relationships, conditions or circumstances that present a potential conflict of interest.
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Source: PubMed