Intravenous Hydrocortisone versus Intravenous Dexamethasone in Children Hospitalized with Acute Severe Asthma:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Corticosteroids play an important role in the management of Acute Severe Asthma and are the mainstay treatment of asthma. Published literature addressing the dose and type of steroids is very conflicting. Although the role of Intravenous corticosteroids in acute asthma is well established, this study aims to compare two Intravenous steroid preparations i.e. Hydrocortisone and Dexamethasone in the management of patients presenting with Acute Severe Asthma. Patients will be divided into two groups: Group I will receive Intravenous Dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg single dose, max. dose of 16 mg/day and to be repeated after 24 hours if required and if a child can take it orally, to be given oral 0.6mg/kg single dose on Day 2 of admission and Group II will receive Intravenous Hydrocortisone (8 mg/kg) max dose of 100 mg followed by 4 mg/kg q8h on Day 1 and if child is accepting orally to be shifted on Oral Prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day for 4 days. And if the child is not accepting orally we will give Intravenous hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg/day divided 12h on Day 2 and 4 mg/kg single dose on Day 3.