Is a single dose of oral dexamethasone noninferior to 3 days of oral prednisolone in the treatment of pediatric asthma exacerbations?
BEEM Bottom Line
Why is this study important?
Oral prednisolone is commonly prescribed for acute asthma exacerbation in children as a 3- to 5-day treatment course but is associated with significant vomiting. Oral dexamethasone is prescribed as a single- or 2-dose regimen and is typically better tolerated. This study sought to determine if a single oral dose of dexamethasone is less effective in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbation in children than a 3-day course of oral prednisolone.
Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?
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