Summary
Systemic corticosteroids may decrease the time to clinical cure or recovery in children with pneumonia. We are unable to adequately assess whether the addition of systemic corticosteroids decreases mortality in children with pneumonia.
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ACEP Now: Vol 38 – No 04 – April 2019
Dr. Jones is assistant professor of pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
Dr. Cantor is professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics, director of the pediatric emergency department, and medical director of the Central New York Regional Poison Control Center at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.
References
- Stern A, Skalsky K, Avni T, et al. Corticosteroids for pneumonia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;12:DC007720.
- Weiss AK, Hall M, Lee GE, et al. Adjunct corticosteroids in children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. Pediatrics. 2011;127(2):e255-263.
- Ambroggio L, Test M, Metlay JP, et al. Adjunct systemic corticosteroid therapy in children with community-acquired pneumonia in the outpatient setting. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2015;4(1):21-27.
- Tagarro A, Otheo E, Baquero-Artigao F, et al. Dexamethasone for parapneumonic pleural effusion: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. J Pediatr. 2017;185:117-123.
- Luo Z, Luo J, Liu E, et al. Effects of prednisolone on refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014;49(4):377-380.
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One Response to “Corticosteroids for Pediatric Pneumonia”
October 22, 2019
Matt JaegerBut the real question is whether or not a “perihilar infiltrate” in a child represents a treatable infection at all. It certainly is not highly suggestive of a bacterial infection and based on the patient’s clinical appearance I would suggest that the best course for most children with an X-ray of this appearance is supportive care only.