Utility of portable spirometry in a pediatric emergency department in children with acute exacerbation of asthma.

Objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to determine if portable spirometers can be successfully used in an emergency department (ED) in children with an acute exacerbation of asthma. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine if a validated clinical asthma score (CAS) correlates with the spirometry results in children with an acute exacerbation of asthma.

Methods: Children between the ages of 6 and 17 years who presented to an urban free-standing children's hospital ED with an acute exacerbation of asthma were enrolled in our study.

Efficacy of racemic albuterol versus levalbuterol used as a continuous nebulization for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.

Objective: To compare racemic albuterol (RAC) with levalbuterol (LEV) in continuous form for the treatment of acute pediatric asthma exacerbations in the emergency department.

Study Design: Children between the ages of 6 and 17 inclusive were enrolled if they had a history of asthma, presented to the emergency department with an acute asthma exacerbation, and had an initial forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <70% predicted. Patients were then randomized to receive either 7.

Epinephrine auto-injectors: is needle length adequate for delivery of epinephrine intramuscularly?

Objective: Studies show that intramuscular epinephrine results in peak plasma concentrations of epinephrine faster than the subcutaneous route, and therefore, epinephrine is recommended to be administered intramuscularly. The objective of this study was to determine if the needle length on epinephrine auto-injectors is adequate to deliver epinephrine intramuscularly in children.

Methods: Patients between the ages of 1 and 12 years who presented to a children's hospital were enrolled in the study.

Initial oxygen saturation as a predictor of admission in children presenting to the emergency department with acute asthma.

Background: Previous studies have looked at the relationship between initial oxygen saturation (SaO (2)) and the need for admission in children presenting with an acute asthma exacerbation. If initial SaO (2) value is indeed predictive of admission, then the admission process could be initiated sooner, and time spent in the emergency department could be potentially lessened.

Study Objective: The objective of the current study was to examine whether initial room air SaO (2) in children presenting to the ED with acute asthma is a reliable predictor of hospital admission.