Trial of One Versus Two Doses of Dexamethasone for Pediatric Asthma Exacerbation

A Randomized Double Blinded Placebo Controlled Trial of One Versus Two Doses of Oral Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Acute Asthma Exacerbation in the Pediatric Emergency Department (ED)

Comparing one versus two doses of oral dexamethasone for the treatment of asthma in the pediatric emergency department.

A randomized double blinded placebo controlled trial comparing one dose of dexamethasone administered in the Emergency Department with two doses, the first given in the emergency department and the second 24 hours after the index ED visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of asthma defined as at least two (2) prior episodes of respiratory illness characterized by wheezing treated with inhaled beta agonists

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy
• severe chronic cardiac, respiratory, neurological or neuromuscular disease
• complete resolution of symptoms after one treatment of beta agonists
• severe asthma symptoms as defined by a Pulmonary Index Score of 12 or greater