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Can Fam Physician
Vol. 55, No. 7, July 2009, pp.704 - 706
Copyright © 2009 by The College of Family Physicians of Canada
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Child Health Update

Use of dexamethasone and prednisone in acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients

Allan E. Shefrin, MD FRCPC and Ran D. Goldman, MD
Correspondence: Dr Ran D. Goldman, BC Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Room K4-226, Ambulatory Care Building, 4480 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4; telephone 604 875-2345, extension 5217; fax 604 875-2414; e-mailrgoldman{at}cw.bc.ca

QUESTION Children frequently present to my rural emergency department with asthma exacerbations. Should I prescribe systemic corticosteroids? If so, which systemic corticosteroid should I prescribe?

ANSWER A short course of steroids is indicated in the treatment of asthma exacerbations. Both prednisone (1 to 2 mg/kg daily for 5 days) and dexamethasone (0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg daily for 1 to 5 days) are effective in reducing hospital admissions and unscheduled return to care, with minimal side effects.






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