Efficacy of corticosteroids in acute bronchiolitis: short term outcomes

Abstract

Objective: To determine short term efficacy of corticosteroids, when added to beta 2 agonist, in acute bronchiolitis. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at pediatric department in Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan from January to June 2018. A sample size of 80 patients was calculated using WHO calculator. Non probability consecutive sampling was used. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group A was given oral prednisone for 3 days while group B placebo. All were followed after 7 days. SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was applied. P≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 80 infants, there were 44 (55%) male and 36(45%) female. Mean age was 11.4±1.5 months. Corticosteroids showed significant reduction in respiratory rate (p=0.02), oxygen saturation SpO2(p=0.001), length of hospital stay (p<0.001) and wheezing (p<0.001) as short term outcome as compare to placebo. Conclusion: Corticosteroids were effective treatment of choice in terms of short term outcome with limited complications, when used for 3 days in acute bronchiolitis.