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Dexamethasone reduces reintubation rate due to postextubation stridor in a high‐risk paediatric population
Author(s) -
Lukkassen Ingrid M. A.,
Hassing Marre B. F,
Markhorst Dick G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2006.tb02183.x
Subject(s) - stridor , medicine , dexamethasone , anesthesia , intubation , population , medical record , incidence (geometry) , pediatrics , surgery , airway , physics , environmental health , optics
Objective: To study the effect of dexamethasone on postextubation stridor (PS) incidence and reintubation rate due to PS in a high‐risk paediatric intensive care population. Patients and methods: All children aged between 4 wk and 6 y, who were intubated for at least 24 h and extubated between August 1999 and May 2002, were retrospectively included ( n =60). Medical records of the included patients were studied; records of patients treated with dexamethasone prior to and following extubation ( n =23) were compared with control patients who had not received prophylactic medication ( n =37). Results: Nine patients in the control group developed significant postextubation stridor, necessitating nebulized epinephrine or glucocorticosteroids. In six of these children, reintubation as a result of postextubation stridor was indicated. None of the patients treated with dexamethasone developed severe postextubation stridor or required reintubation. Conclusions: The risk of postextubation stridor is relatively high in the group of children aged between 4 wk and 6 y with intubation exceeding 24 h. We found dexamethasone to be effective in preventing reintubation due to postextubation stridor in this paediatric high‐risk group.