Humidification in viral croup: a controlled trial

Sixteen children (mean age 1.9 years) admitted to hospital with viral croup were assigned randomly to either a high humidity atmosphere or room air. No other treatment was given. During the initial 12 h both groups of patients showed a similar rate of recovery as measured by pulse rate, respiration rate, transcutaneous oxygen (TcO2), transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO2) and a clinical rating. No therapeutic benefit was demonstrated from the provision of a high humidity atmosphere. The widespread use of humidification in the management of croup requires reappraisal.     

Humidification in viral croup: a controlled trial

Abstract Sixteen children (mean age 1.9 years) admitted to hospital with viral croup were assigned randomly to either a high humidity atmosphere or room air. No other treatment was given. During the initial 12 h both groups of patients showed a simitar rate of recovery as measured by pulse rate, respiration rate, transcutaneous oxygen (TcO₂), transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO₂) and a clinical rating. No therapeutic benefit was demonstrated from the provision of a high humidity atmosphere. The widespread use of humidification in the management of croup requires reappraisal.     

Prednisolone versus dexamethasone in croup: a randomised equivalence trial

Background

Croup remains a common respiratory problem presenting to emergency departments. A single oral treatment of oral dexamethasone results in improved outcome. Prednisolone has similar pharmacokinetic properties and has a significant advantage in that it is commercially available in liquid preparations.

Objective

To ascertain whether a single oral dose of prednisolone was equivalent to a single oral dose of dexamethasone (matched for potency) in children with mild to moderate croup.

Design

A double blind, randomised, controlled equivalence trial

Setting

Tertiary paediatric emergency department.

Patients

133 children aged 3 to 142 months presenting with mild to moderate croup.

Interventions

Children received either a single oral dose of dexamethasone 0.15 mg/kg or single oral dose of prednisolone 1 mg/kg.

Outcome

The main outcome measure was unscheduled re‐presentation to medical care as determined by telephone follow up at 7 to 10 days. Croup score, adrenaline (epinephrine) use, time spent in the emergency department, and duration of croup and viral symptoms were secondary outcome measures.

Results

Children treated with prednisolone were more likely to re‐present: 19 of 65 children (29%) reattended medical care compared with 5 of 68 (7%) from the dexamethasone group. The confidence intervals around this 22% difference in outcome were 8% to 35%, outside the 0% to 7.5% range of equivalence. There were no significant differences in other outcome measures.

Conclusion

A single oral dose of prednisolone is less effective than a single oral dose of dexamethasone in reducing unscheduled re‐presentation to medical care in children with mild to moderate croup.     

The current status of palliative care in Turkey: a nurse's perspective

There has been a growing awareness for the need to develop a palliative care service in Turkey. But a significant proportion of the Turkey population still does not have access to palliative care. The majority of cancer patients are treated in university hospitals that have support units with pain specialists and medical oncologists. Some significant barriers to the development of palliative care nursing were identified: 1) Lack of palliative care education and training programs 2) Lack of certification for Palliative Care Nursing 3) There is very limited research about palliative care nursing 4) lack of public awareness and 4) shortage of nursing staff 5) the limited availability of/knowledge about opioid analgesics. Nurses have a unique and primary responsibility for advocating for the right of patients to maintain their quality of life for as long as possible and to experience a dignified and peaceful death. Continued efforts are needed to overcome these barriers to successful implementation of palliative and end-of-life care for patients with cancer.     

Prednisolone versus dexamethasone in croup: a randomised equivalence trial.

BACKGROUND: Croup remains a common respiratory problem presenting to emergency departments. A single oral treatment of oral dexamethasone results in improved outcome. Prednisolone has similar pharmacokinetic properties and has a significant advantage in that it is commercially available in liquid preparations. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether a single oral dose of prednisolone was equivalent to a single oral dose of dexamethasone (matched for potency) in children with mild to moderate croup. DESIGN: A double blind, randomised, controlled equivalence trial. SETTING: Tertiary paediatric emergency department. Patients: 133 children aged 3 to 142 months presenting with mild to moderate croup. INTERVENTIONS: Children received either a single oral dose of dexamethasone 0.15 mg/kg or single oral dose of prednisolone 1 mg/kg. Outcome: The main outcome measure was unscheduled re-presentation to medical care as determined by telephone follow up at 7 to 10 days. Croup score, adrenaline (epinephrine) use, time spent in the emergency department, and duration of croup and viral symptoms were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Children treated with prednisolone were more likely to re-present: 19 of 65 children (29%) reattended medical care compared with 5 of 68 (7%) from the dexamethasone group. The confidence intervals around this 22% difference in outcome were 8% to 35%, outside the 0% to 7.5% range of equivalence. There were no significant differences in other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: A single oral dose of prednisolone is less effective than a single oral dose of dexamethasone in reducing unscheduled re-presentation to medical care in children with mild to moderate croup.     

Recurrent croup.

Thirty one of 486 children followed from birth had recurrent croup in the first four years of life. Twenty one were boys, and 10 girls. Recurrent croup occurred significantly more often in families with a positive history of allergy but was not significantly associated with the initial feeding method.     

Pseudomembranous croup.

During a 2-year period, 7 children were seen with a severe form of laryngotracheobronchitis associated with sloughing of the respiratory epithelium and profuse mucopurulent secretions. We have called this condition pseudomembranous croup. The children had severe upper airways obstruction, appeared toxic with high fever, and were older than the typical age group for viral laryngotracheobronchitis. Lateral x-ray films of the airways showed subglottic narrowing and often these suggested the presence of radio-opaque foreign material in the tracheal lumen. At endoscopy, in addition to pseudomembrane in the subglottic region and trachea, there was thick mucopus and debris, and in some cases these changes extended into the bronchi. An artificial airway was required in all except one, and even after intubation it proved difficult to maintain the airway. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen isolated from tracheal cultures but other organisms were grown.     

Croup. A current perspective

In the past decade, much progress has been made in the management of patients with croup. Where glucocorticoids have been adopted into practice, evidence shows that a decrease of health-care-service use is occurring in terms of fewer admissions to intensive care units and hospitals. The evidence may be summarized as follows. All children with croup symptoms who demonstrate increased work of breathing in the clinics or emergency departments should be treated with glucocorticoids. This treatment may be with nebulized budesonide (2 mg) or PO or IM dexamethasone (dose may be 0.15-0.6 mg/kg). Oral dexamethasone may be the best option because of its ease of administration, widespread availability, and lower cost. L-Epinephrine (5 mL of 1:1000) or racemic epinephrine (0.5 mL) should be considered for children with croup who have moderate or severe distress. No evidence supports the effectiveness of mist therapy, and physicians are in need of a randomized, controlled trial for this.