Nebulized ketamine to avoid mechanical ventilation in a pediatric patient with severe asthma exacerbation

Asthma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality despite advances in outpatient treatment. Sometimes, children fail to respond to standard treatment and can potentially require mechanical ventilation. We describe a case of a 26-month-old girl with a severe asthma exacerbation successfully managed by ketamine administration via nebulization route that permitted to avoid mechanical ventilation. Nebulized ketamine might be a reasonable option to avoid mechanical ventilation in children who fail to respond to standard treatment of severe asthma exacerbation. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.