STATUS-ASTHMATICUS IN CHILDREN - ONE-YEAR STUDY

50 children were admitted on 72 occasions during one year in status asthmaticus, defined as wheezing not relieved by two doses of bronchodilator 4 hours apart. At least one-third of children were hypercapnoeic on admission. They were managed with either oral prednisolone and nebulised salbutamol or IV aminophylline and hydrocortisone in addition to salbutamol. Those with peak expiratory flow rates of > 25% expected for height were satisfactorily managed on the oral regimen. One child needed assisted ventilation. 73% were fit for discharge within 4 days and more than half of them needed a change in maintenance treatment.