Comparison of the Frequency of Relapse After Treatement of Acute Exacerbation of Asthma with Oral Dexamethsone Versus Oral Prednisolone in Children

Abstract

Objective: To compare the frequency of relapse after treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma with oral dexamethasone versus oral prednisolone in children aged 2-12 years.
Methods: Total 400 patients as per the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The cases were divided into 2 clusters with equal number of participants. 200 participants were in oral dexamethasone group and 200 in oral prednisolone group. After standard treatment of acute asthmatic exacerbation (nebulization with salbutamol) in emergency department, group 1 was given 0.6mg/kg of tablet dexamethasone in emergency continued for next 2 days and placebo agent for next 3 days, group II was given tablet prednisolone (2mg/kg) in emergency and 1mg/kg/day dose for next 5 days.
Results: Children 2 to 12 years of age were included in both groups, with mean age of 5.55±2.33 years in dexamethasone group while 7.57±2.37 years in prednisolone group. Duration of improvement of symptoms was 2.00±0.21 days in dexamethasone group while 2.00±0.48 days in prednisolone group. Relapse was seen in 18% in dexamethasone group as compare to 15% in prednisolone Group, difference in relapse rate was not significant in both groups(p=0.419).
Conclusion: Two days course of oral dexamethasone has almost similar frequency of relapse as with oral prednisolone in management of acute asthmatic exacerbations management in patients discharged from the emergency department.

How to cite: Iqbal N., Farooq A. M., Siddiqui A.M., Omer R. Hussain K.K. Comparison of the Frequency of Relapse After Treatement of Acute Exacerbation of Asthma with Oral Dexamethsone Versus Oral Prednisolone in Children. Esculapio 2021;17(03):