[Prednisolone treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection. A randomized, controlled trial of 147 children]. / Prednisolonbehandling af respiratorisk syncytial virusinfektion. En randomiseret, kontrolleret undersøgelse af 147 børn.

OBJECTS: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of systemic prednisolone as an adjunct to conventional treatment with beta 2-agonist, fluid replacement and respiratory support in hospitalized infants younger than 24 months with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. METHODS: The study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. During the winter of 1995-96, 147 infants less than two years of age hospitalized with RSV infection were allocated to treatment with either systemic prednisolone mixture 2 mg/kg daily or placebo for 5 days. RESULTS: Our main outcome measures were: 1. Acute effect variables: duration of stay in hospital, use of medicine and supportive measures while in hospital. 2. At follow-up one month after discharge: duration of illness, start in day care center, morbidity and use of medicine. 3. At follow-up one year after discharge: morbidity, use of medicine and skin prick tests with allergens. CONCLUSION: Prednisolone treatment had no effect on any of the outcome measures. We find our results in agreement with the largest studies reported earlier; therefore, corticosteroid, whether by systemic route or by inhalation, should not be prescribed to infants with RSV infection.