DoSAgE RCT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Dosing of Steroids for Acute asthma given in the Emergency department - a pilot randomised feasibility trial of Dexamethasone in children
IRAS ID
1007050
Contact name
Shammi Ramlakhan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Steroids given by mouth are an important first line treatment for children presenting with asthma attacks. Dexamethasone is the steroid used in some emergency departments (EDs) and acute paediatric units because it only needs a single dose and is well tolerated. The dose of dexamethasone in treating asthma attacks is not clearly established and different doses are used by ED and Paediatric clinicians in different hospitals. This study compares two different doses of dexamethasone in children presenting with an asthma attack. We will compare the effect of these two different doses in reducing the need for a repeat prescription of steroids for an asthma attack in the 2 weeks after the first treatment. We will also look at how often children attend the ED or their GP after being given treatment as well as the acceptability to parents and children.
Although this study may provide an answer to the question of whether the different doses have the same effect, we believe that a larger study will be needed to provide robust generalisable evidence, as well as to ensure that the outcomes are truly what matters to parents, children and healthcare professionals. This study will provide valuable information of the feasibility of such a study to enable a larger study to be undertaken.REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
24/WA/0368
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion