Croup

(2013) The comparative effectiveness of prednisolone and dexamethasone for children with croup: A community-based randomized trial.

Background

Although common practice, evidence to support treatment of croup with prednisolone is scant.

Methods

We conducted a community-based randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of prednisolone (2mg/kg/day for 3 days, n=41) versus one dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) and two doses of placebo (n=46). Participants were children 1–8 years of age with croup symptoms ≤48hr, categorized as mild (42%) or moderate (58%).

Results

There were no differences for those treated with dexamethasone or prednisolone for additional healthcare for croup (2% vs. 7%, p=0.34), duration of croup symptoms (2.8 days vs. 2.2 days, p=0.63), non-barky cough (6.1 days vs. 5.9 days, p=0.81), nights with disturbed sleep for the parent (0.68 nights vs. 1.21 nights, p=0.55), and days with stress (1.39 days vs. 1.56 days, p=0.51).

Conclusion

There were no detected differences in outcomes between the two croup treatments for either child or parent.