Oral dexamethasone improved respiratory distress in children < 2 years of age with acute bronchiolitis.

I n t e r v e n t i o n 36 children were allocated to a single dose of oral dexamethasone, 1 mg/kg, and 34 were allocated to placebo. At 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes, all children received albuterol (Ventolin 5% solution, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA) via nebulizer, 2.5 mg per dose (0.5 mL) in 3 mL normal saline and oxygen flow 6 to 7 L/min. After a 4-hour observation period, children were discharged home and continued to receive either daily oral dexamethasone, 0.6 mg/kg/dose, or placebo for 5 days, in addition to nebulized albuterol, 1.5 mg (0.3 mL) 4 times per day.