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Oral corticosteroids for wheezing attacks under 18 months.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|January 1, 1986
Summary
This study found no significant difference in symptom improvement for young children with acute respiratory symptoms treated with prednisolone or placebo. Parental preference also did not favor prednisolone over placebo for treating wheezing illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute respiratory exacerbations are common in infants and young children.
- Corticosteroids are frequently used, but their efficacy in this age group is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of oral prednisolone versus placebo in treating acute wheezing illnesses in children under 18 months.
- To assess parental preference for treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, partial crossover trial involving 38 children under 18 months.
- Participants received either oral prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day for 5 days) or placebo during acute exacerbations.
- Daily symptom scores (cough, wheeze, breathlessness) and parental preference were recorded.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in the rate of improvement or overall outcome were observed between prednisolone and placebo groups.
- Subgroup analysis by age (under 6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months) also showed no significant differences.
- Parental preference did not indicate superiority of prednisolone over placebo.
Conclusions:
- Oral prednisolone does not appear to offer significant benefits over placebo for acute respiratory symptoms in children under 18 months.
- Further research may be needed to identify specific subgroups that could benefit from corticosteroid treatment.