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Steroids as adjuvant treatment of sore throat in acute bacterial pharyngitis
Simon C Schams1, Ran D Goldman
1BC Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Room K4-226, Ambulatory Care Bldg, 4480 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada.
Insights
A single dose of oral dexamethasone provides faster pain relief for children with acute pharyngitis. This steroid treatment significantly shortens suffering, particularly in severe cases of strep throat.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute pharyngitis is a common childhood illness.
- Adult studies suggest steroids may accelerate sore throat pain relief.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a single steroid dose offers faster pain relief for pediatric sore throat.
- Investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids in children with acute pharyngitis.
Main Methods:
- A single oral dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg, max 10 mg) was administered.
- Pain relief onset and duration of suffering were measured.
Main Results:
- Dexamethasone significantly accelerated pain relief onset (P < .05).
- Treatment led to shorter overall suffering for children.
- The effect was more pronounced in severe or exudative cases.
Conclusions:
- A single oral dose of dexamethasone is effective in providing faster pain relief for pediatric acute pharyngitis.
- Dexamethasone shortens suffering, especially in children with severe or exudative Group A Streptococcus-positive pharyngitis.
Question:
I see many children suffering from sore throat and acute pharyngitis. Some adult studies describe faster pain relief when sore throat is treated with steroids. Would a single dose of a steroid, as an anti-inflammatory agent, provide accelerated pain relief for sore throat in children?
Answer:
A single dose of oral dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg, maximum 10 mg) leads to significantly (P < .05) faster onset of pain relief and shorter suffering, especially in children with severe or exudative group A β-hemolytic streptococcus-positive acute pharyngitis.
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