Should We Give Steroids with Antibiotics for Pediatric Pneumonia?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Corticosteroids have demonstrated benefits in adults with severe CAP, particularly those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Whether pediatric patients with CAP also benefit from steroids has been less clear. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of systemic corticosteroids in combination with antibiotics in hospitalized children with CAP, including in the ICU, researchers performed a systematic literature review of 22 studies and a meta-analysis of 7 of the studies. Eligible studies included randomized, controlled trials (RCTs), case–control studies, and cohort studies and assessed pneumonia due to bacterial or viral causes.