Revisiting dexamethasone use in the pediatric emergency department

Abstract

Purpose of review Dexamethasone is an essential treatment for common pediatric inflammatory, airway, and respiratory conditions. We aim to provide up-to-date recommendations for treatment of anaphylaxis, croup, coronavirus disease, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and asthma with dexamethasone for use in the pediatric emergency department. Recent findings Literature largely continues to support the use of dexamethasone in most of the above conditions, however, recommendations for dosing and duration are evolving. Summary The findings discussed in this review will enable pediatric emergency medicine providers to use dexamethasone effectively as treatment of common pediatric conditions and minimize the occurrence of side-effects caused by gratuitous corticosteroid use.