Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTheophylline versus terbutaline in treating critically ill children with status asthmaticus: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
To compare the efficacy of theophylline, terbutaline, or theophylline combined with terbutaline treatment in critically ill children with status asthmaticus who are already receiving continuous nebulized albuterol and intravenous corticosteroids. ⋯ Theophylline, when added to continuous nebulized albuterol therapy and intravenous corticosteroids, is as effective as terbutaline in treating critically ill children with status asthmaticus. The addition of theophylline to baseline therapy is more cost-effective when compared with terbutaline alone or terbutaline and theophylline together. Theophylline should be considered for use early in the management of critically ill asthmatic children.