Dosing of Steroids for Acute Asthma Given in the Emergency Department - a Pilot Randomised Feasibility Trial of Dexamethasone in Children

What this Trial Is About

This research focuses on children aged 4 to 15 years who experience asthma attacks, aiming to compare two different doses of the steroid dexamethasone given orally in emergency departments. The study evaluates which dose better reduces the need for repeat steroid prescriptions within two weeks after initial treatment. The study also examines how often children return to emergency care or their general practitioner and looks at how acceptable the treatments are to both parents and children. This pilot trial will help gather important information to plan a larger, more definitive study that addresses key concerns of families and healthcare professionals. Participants will receive one of two doses of dexamethasone, either 0.3 mg/kg or 0.6 mg/kg, as a single oral dose during their emergency department visit. The study is randomized and triple-blinded, meaning neither the participants, caregivers, nor researchers know which dose is given. The chosen doses reflect common clinical practices and aim to find the lowest effective dose to reduce side effects. This study period includes the initial emergency treatment and follow-up monitoring. Throughout the study, children will be monitored for the need for additional steroid treatment, hospital admissions, and how well they tolerate the medication. Researchers will track emergency department visits, general practitioner visits, and collect feedback from parents and children about the treatment experience. The primary outcome is participant recruitment over seven months, while secondary outcomes assess tolerability and hospital admissions. The study continues until August 2026, with careful safety monitoring by the research team.

Dosing of Steroids for Acute Asthma Given in the Emergency Department - a Pilot Randomised Feasibility Trial of Dexamethasone in Children