[Additive effect of intravenous prednisolone for acute severe asthma in infants and toddlers: a randomized controlled clinical trial].

Background: The efficacy of systemic corticosteroids for infants and toddlers with acute severe asthma has been inadequately evaluated.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the additive efficacy of intravenous prednisolone in a randomized controlled study in the management of infants and toddlers with acute severe asthma.

Methods: Sixty-two patients (aged 8 to 70 months) hospitalized with status asthmaticus were studied. They were randomized into two groups. One group received intravenous prednisolone treatment (1 approximately 3 mg/kg/day, 3 days); the other group served as a control. Each group received continuous aminophylline infusion and low-dose continuous isoproterenol inhalation by an Inspiron nebulizer. They were monitored their heart rate, respiratory rate and symptoms (Wood's clinical score).

Results: Each group showed rapid improvement in heart rate, respiratory rate and clinical score by low-dose continuous isoproterenol inhalation. There were no significant differences in the time course of these clinical indexes or the duration of aminophylline infusion, continuous isoproterenol inhalation and hospital stay.

Conclusion: This study failed to confirm the additive benefit of intravenous prednisolone in the management of infants and toddlers with acute severe asthma.