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. 2020 Nov 3;11(1):41-47.
doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1719044. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Use of Dexamethasone to Prevent Extubation Failure in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Haroldo Teófilo de Carvalho  1 , José Roberto Fioretto  1 , Rossano Cesar Bonatto  1 , Cristiane Franco Ribeiro  1 , Joelma Gonçalves Martin  1 , Mário Ferreira Carpi  1
Affiliations

Use of Dexamethasone to Prevent Extubation Failure in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Haroldo Teófilo de Carvalho et al. J Pediatr Intensive Care. .

Abstract

Extubation failure is a common event in intensive care units. Corticosteroids are effective in preventing failure in adults, but no consensus has been reached on this matter in pediatrics. We assessed the efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone in mechanically ventilated children and adolescents for more than 48 hours, with at least one risk factor for failure. Extubations were scheduled 24 hours in advance when possible, and patients were randomly assigned into two groups: one group received a loading dose followed by up to four doses of dexamethasone, and the other group received no corticosteroids. Need for reintubation and length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit were similar in both groups, and frequency of reintubation was 12.9%.

Keywords: children; dexamethasone; extubation failure.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of inclusion and exclusion of patients. n , number of patients; OTE, orotraqueal extubation; CG, control group; TG, treatment group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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