Corticosteroids for Severe RSV Infection: Adding Insult to Injury?

Investigators evaluate an anti-inflammatory strategy for treating lower respiratory tract infections in very young children.

There is a longstanding controversy regarding the possible benefit of corticosteroids in the management of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) secondary to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Theoretically, steroids might alter the inflammatory response and speed recovery. These investigators studied the use of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg every 12 hours for 4 days) in children younger than 2 years with LRTI who required mechanical ventilation. They evaluated the drug's effect on RSV quantity in respiratory secretions and on the clinical parameters of duration of intubation, ICU stay, and total hospital days.

A total of 41 patients were enrolled; 22 received dexamethasone, and 19 received placebo. Patients treated with dexamethasone had sign…

Reviewing Author

Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD