Acute Exacerbation Assessment

Acute Exacerbation Assessment

Acute Exacerbation management (depending on severity)

• Oxygen
• Salbutamol (inhaler +/- nebuliser)
• Consider Ipratropium Bromide (nebuliser)
• Prednisolone

Child 1 month–11 years 1–2 mg/kg once daily (max. per dose 40 mg) for up to 3 days, longer if necessary.

Child 12–17 years 40–50 mg once daily for at least 5 days. Adult 40–50 mg once daily for at least 5 days.

• 48-hour follow-up

PROGNOSIS

Most children grow out of the condition in childhood.

KEY INFORMATION

• Annual reviews essential
• Monitor steroid side effects
• Consider azithromycin in frequent exacerbators
• Review inhaler technique regularly
• Steroid card for high-dose ICS users

EXTRA’S

Differential diagnoses:

• Primary ciliary dyskinesia
• Cystic fibrosis
• GORD
• Pertussis
• TB
• COPD
• Foreign body
• Interstitial lung disease

Asthma Reference

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