Corticosteroids may be effective for most cases of croup, study shows

doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7469.762-c

BMJ 2004;329:762 (2 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7469.762-c

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Corticosteroids may be effective for most cases of croup, study shows

Calgary Barbara Kermode-Scott

A large multicentre trial in Canada has found that that most, if not all, children with croup benefit from treatment with a corticosteroid.

The authors of the randomised controlled trial say that a single dose of oral dexamethasone may be an effective treatment for mild croup. The benefits of dexamethasone for croup that is moderate to severe are already well established.

Although the researchers found, as expected, that among untreated children with mild croup the burden of disease was low, the trial showed small but consistent and important benefits from treatment. Dexamethasone improved recuperation and helped children sleep better, according to the researchers (New England Journal of Medicine 2004;351:1306).

Data were available for 354 children in the treatment group and 354 in the placebo group. Twenty six children (7.3%) in the treatment group and 54 (15.3%) in the placebo group returned to the hospital for care . . . [Full text of this article]

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