September 2026. Volume 22. Number 3

Oral corticosteroids for asthma acute exacerbations: no differences among regimens

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Amagasa S, Utsumi S, Okajima K, Uematsu S. Oral systemic corticosteroids in children with acute asthma exacerbations: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Arch Dis Child. 2025;110:824-31.

Reviewers: Gutiérrez Medina P1, Ortega Páez E2.
1Pediatra. CS Entrevías. Madrid. España.
2Pediatra. CS Góngora. Distrito Granada-Metropolitano. Granada. España.
Correspondence: Eduardo Ortega Páez. Email: edortegap@gmail.com
Reception date: 15/07/2026
Acceptance date: 30/07/2026
Publication date: 09/09/2026

Abstract

Authors´ conclusions: in this network meta-analysis, no significant differences were observed in the efficacy of commonly used corticosteroid regimens for acute exacerbations of childhood asthma. Nevertheless, they suggest that short-term oral dexamethasone could be an acceptable alternative to longer-term treatment with prednisolone.

Reviewers´ commentary: network meta-analysis results suggest that prednisolone (2.0 mg/kg/day for 5 days) is the preferred regimen for relapse, and dexamethasone (0.3 mg/kg/day for 1 day) for admission. However, given the substantial imprecision in effect estimates, it remains uncertain whether higher prednisolone doses reduce relapse or admission risks compared to one-day dexamethasone. The effect size remains unquantifiable due to statistical non-significance; thus, more powerful studies are needed to support clinical decisions.

How to cite this article

Gutiérrez Medina P, Ortega Páez E. Corticoides orales en exacerbaciones asmáticas: sin diferencias entre pautas. Evid Pediatr. 2026;22:28.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Amagasa S, Utsumi S, Okajima K, Uematsu S. Oral systemic corticosteroids in children with acute asthma exacerbations: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Arch Dis Child. 2025;110:824-31.

Reviewers: Gutiérrez Medina P1, Ortega Páez E2.
1Pediatra. CS Entrevías. Madrid. España.
2Pediatra. CS Góngora. Distrito Granada-Metropolitano. Granada. España.
Correspondence: Eduardo Ortega Páez. Email: edortegap@gmail.com
Reception date: 15/07/2026
Acceptance date: 30/07/2026
Publication date: 09/09/2026

How to cite this article

Gutiérrez Medina P, Ortega Páez E. Corticoides orales en exacerbaciones asmáticas: sin diferencias entre pautas. Evid Pediatr. 2026;22:28.

09/09/2026

Linked Comment

Methodological note