Corticosteroid Timing and Length of Stay for Children With Asthma in the Emergency Department

SR Davis, G Burke, E Hogan, SR Smith. J Asthma. 2012;49(8):862–867 To determine if early treatment with oral corticosteroids to pediatric patients with asthma exacerbations in the emergency department could decrease their length of stay. Children between the ages of 2 and 18 years who presented to the emergency department with acute asthma exacerbations and received oral corticosteroids, either prednisolone or dexamethasone, were included. Retrospective chart review of 882 children who were seen over the 12-month study period was performed. A standardized asthma treatment algorithm was used as a guide based on severity of exacerbation, but the treating physician decided medications used. Timing of corticosteroid administration and length of …