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Review
. 2017 Mar 23;43(1):31.
doi: 10.1186/s13052-017-0348-x.

Management of acute respiratory diseases in the pediatric population: the role of oral corticosteroids

Renato Cutrera  1 , Eugenio Baraldi  2 , Luciana Indinnimeo  3 , Michele Miraglia Del Giudice  4 , Giorgio Piacentini  5 , Francesco Scaglione  6 , Nicola Ullmann  7 , Laura Moschino  2 , Francesca Galdo  4 , Marzia Duse  3
Affiliations
Review

Management of acute respiratory diseases in the pediatric population: the role of oral corticosteroids

Renato Cutrera et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Abstract

Respiratory diseases account for about 25% of all pediatric consultations, and 10% of these are for asthma. The other main pediatric respiratory diseases, in terms of incidence, are bronchiolitis, acute bronchitis and respiratory infections. Oral corticosteroids, in particular prednisolone, are often used to treat acute respiratory diseases given their anti-inflammatory effects. However, the efficacy of treatment with oral corticosteroids differs among the various types of pediatric respiratory diseases. Notably, also the adverse effects of corticosteroid treatment can differ depending on dosage, duration of treatment and type of corticosteroid administered - a case in point being growth retardation in long-course treatment. A large body of data has accumulated on this topic. In this article, we have reviewed the data and guidelines related to the role of oral corticosteroids in the treatment and management of pediatric bronchiolitis, wheezing, asthma and croup in the attempt to provide guidance for physicians. Also included is a section on the management of acute respiratory failure in children.

Keywords: Acute respiratory diseases; Asthma; Bronchiolitis; Croup; Respiratory failure; Wheezing.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Management of bronchiolitis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Management of a wheezing episode. Modified from: The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention. 2016
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Management of an asthma attack in children aged >5 years. Modified from: Indinnimeo L et al. Gestione dell’attacco acuto di asma in età pediatrica Linea Guida SIP- Aggiornamento 2016
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Management of croup. Modified from: TOP Working Group for Croup Guideline for the diagnosis and management of croup. Edmonton (AB): 2008
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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