Inhaled budesonide versus intramuscular dexamethasone in the treatment of pseudo-croup
Pedersen, L.V.; Dahl, M.; Falk-Petersen, H.E.; Larsen, S.E.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 160(15): 2253-2256
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 9599521 Document Number: 492391
We randomised 59 children hospitalized for croup to treatment with either inhaled budesonide or injected dexamethasone. Group A were treated with two inhalations of 1000 micrograms budesonide and group B received dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg intramuscularly. We used a modified Westley-score, based on chest-wall retractions, barking cough, respiratory frequency and stridor. The children was aged three months to six years (mean 20 months). Three hours after the first treatment there was significant improvement in score amongst all children (p < 0.001), but no difference between the two groups (p < 0.20). Six and 12 hours after the first treatment there were significantly better clinical scores in group B (p = 0.001, p = 0.0004). Based on this study we recommend dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg intramuscularly for children to be treated for croup.