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Dexamethasone shortened hospitalization for infants with bronchiolitis
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Oral dexamethasone with salbutamol resulted in a shorter time to readiness for discharge in infants with bronchiolitis diagnosed with eczema or who had a family history of asthma in a first-degree relative, according to recent study findings published in Pediatrics.
“A literature review showed that a previous history of eczema in the patient or asthma in a parent or full sibling appears to identify a population of infants and young children with bronchiolitis who will have a clinically significant benefit of earlier (by 31%) readiness for discharge without undue risk from early steroid administration,” the researchers wrote.
The study included 200 previously healthy infants treated with dexamethasone 1 mg/kg, then 0.6 mg/kg for 4 more days, or placebo for bronchiolitis. All participants also received inhaled salbutamol.
Researchers found that among dexamethasone treated participants geometric mean time to readiness for discharge was 18.6 hours (95% CI, 14.9-23.1) compared with 27.1 hours (95% CI, 21.8-33.8) among controls. Duration until readiness for discharge shortened by a mean of 31% for the dexamethasone group. However, 22 dexamethasone and 19 control participants were readmitted to the short stay infirmary in the week after discharge.
“Oral dexamethasone administered with salbutamol significantly reduced the duration until clinical readiness for discharge in the treatment of bronchiolitis in patients with eczema or a family history of asthma in a first-degree relative,” the researchers wrote. “We speculate that a somewhat more prolonged dosing regimen may also reduce the need for post-discharge visits.”
Disclosure: The study was funded by Hamad Medical Corp.
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