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Review
. 2024 Jun 1;36(3):251-255.
doi: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000001351. Epub 2024 Apr 1.

Revisiting dexamethasone use in the pediatric emergency department

Rebecca Weinstein  1 , Catherine E Naber, Kristina Brumme
Affiliations
Review

Revisiting dexamethasone use in the pediatric emergency department

Rebecca Weinstein et al. Curr Opin Pediatr. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Dexamethasone is an essential treatment for common pediatric inflammatory, airway, and respiratory conditions. We aim to provide up-to-date recommendations for treatment of anaphylaxis, croup, coronavirus disease, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and asthma with dexamethasone for use in the pediatric emergency department.

Recent findings: Literature largely continues to support the use of dexamethasone in most of the above conditions, however, recommendations for dosing and duration are evolving.

Summary: The findings discussed in this review will enable pediatric emergency medicine providers to use dexamethasone effectively as treatment of common pediatric conditions and minimize the occurrence of side-effects caused by gratuitous corticosteroid use.

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References

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    1. Hayward GN, Hay AD, Moore MV, et al. Effect of oral dexamethasone without immediate antibiotics vs placebo on acute sore throat in adults: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2017; 317:1535.
    1. Bulloch B, Kabani A, Tenenbein M. Oral dexamethasone for the treatment of pain in children with acute pharyngitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Emerg Med 2003; 41:601–608.
    1. Dribin TE, Neuman MI, Schnadower D, et al. Trends and variation in pediatric anaphylaxis care from 2016 to 2022. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2023; 11:1184–1189.
    1. Gaffney LK, Porter J, Gerling M, et al. Safely reducing hospitalizations for anaphylaxis in children through an evidence-based guideline. Pediatrics 2022; 149:e2020045831.

MeSH terms

Supplementary concepts