Comparison of Oral Dexamethasone Doses in Asthma Exacerbation

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2009-05-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Hypothesis: A 2-day course of oral dexamethasone is the superior option for the resolution of symptoms and prevention of relapse in the emergency department (ED) management of mild-moderate asthma exacerbations.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego
• Treatments: BB 1101; Dexamethasone; Dexamethasone 21-phosphate; Dexamethasone acetate

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• children 2-17 years old

• with a history of wheezing (> 1 episode requiring ß-2 agonist therapy) who present to the ED with mild to moderate asthma exacerbations

*mild-moderate exacerbations are defined as a RSS < 11

• patients whose symptoms do not resolve after the first albuterol/atrovent treatment (given in the ED, or at home or via EMS within 1 hour prior to arrival to the ED) are eligible for enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• age < 2 years due to overlap with bronchiolitis

• use of steroids within 3 weeks

• recent exposure to TB, varicella, or herpes

• active varicella/herpes infections

• concomitant stridor, vomited 2 doses in ED

• severe asthma as defined by RSS > 12

• requirement for or pre-existing IV access

• need for immediate airway protection

• history of intubations for asthma or comorbidities (Chronic Lung Disease (CLD), Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), or neurologic disorders)