A preprint containing the full dataset was published on 22 June 2020, and demand for dexamethasone surged after publication of the preprint. The preliminary report was published in The New England Journal of Medicine on 18 July 2020. The final report was published in February 2021.The World Health Organization (WHO) states that dexamethasone should be reserved for seriously ill and critical patients receiving COVID-19 treatment in a hospital setting, and the WHO Director-General stated that "WHO emphasizes that dexamethasone should only be used for patients with severe or critical disease, under close clinical supervision. There is no evidence this drug works for patients with mild disease or as a preventative measure, and it could cause harm." In July 2020, the WHO stated they are in the process of updating treatment guidelines to include dexamethasone or other steroids. In September 2020, the WHO released updated guidance on using corticosteroids for COVID-19.In July 2020, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) started reviewing results from the RECOVERY study arm that involved the use of dexamethasone in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital to provide an opinion on the results and in particular the potential use of dexamethasone for the treatment of adults with COVID-19. In September 2020, the EMA received an application for marketing authorization of dexamethasone for COVID-19. Society and culture
Price
Dexamethasone is inexpensive. In the United States a month of medication is typically priced less than US$25. In India, a course of treatment for preterm labor is about US$0.50.
Azithromycin adjuvant therapy may reduce the duration of wheezing and coughing in children with bronchiolitis but has not effect on length of hospital stay or duration of oxygen therapy. Corticosteroids, although useful in other respiratory disease such as asthma and croup, have no proven benefit in bronchiolitis treatment and are not advised. Additionally, corticosteroid therapy in children with bronchiolitis may prolong viral shedding and transmissibility. The overall safety of corticosteroids is questionable. Leukotriene inhibitors, such as montelukast, have not been found to be beneficial and may increase adverse effects. Immunoglobulins are of unclear benefit. Epidemiology
Bronchiolitis typically affects infants and children younger than two years, principally during the autumn and winter. It is the leading cause of hospital admission for respiratory disease among infants in the United States and accounts for one out of every 13 primary care visits. Bronchiolitis accounts for 3% of emergency department visits for children under 2 years old. Bronchiolitis is the most frequent lower respiratory tract infection and hospitalization in infants worldwide. References
External links
Bronchiolitis. Patient information from NHS Choices
"Bronchiolitis in children – A national clinical guideline" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2007. (1.74 MB)   from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
Ralston, SL; Lieberthal, AS; Meissner, HC; Alverson, BK; Baley, JE; Gadomski, AM; Johnson, DW; Light, MJ; Maraqa, NF; Mendonca, EA; Phelan, KJ; Zorc, JJ; Stanko-Lopp, D; Brown, MA; Nathanson, I; Rosenblum, E; Sayles S, 3rd; Hernandez-Cancio, S (27 October 2014). "Clinical Practice Guideline: The Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Bronchiolitis". Pediatrics.