Safety and efficacy of nebulized racemic epinephrine in conjunction with oral dexamethasone and mist in the outpatient treatment of croup.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify patients with croup who after treatment with nebulized racemic epinephrine, oral dexamethasone, and mist may be safely discharged home after a period of observation.

DESIGN: Prospective interventional.

SETTING: Urban children's hospital emergency department.

PARTICIPANTS: Children with croup who received racemic epinephrine for the treatment of stridor at rest.

INTERVENTIONS: After treatment with .5 mL racemic epinephrine, .6 mg/kg dexamethasone PO, and mist, patients who were assessed as being safe for discharge after 3 hours of observation were discharged home and contacted for 48-hour follow-up.

RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with croup were treated with racemic epinephrine. Thirty patients (55%) had sustained responses and were discharged home after 3 hours of observation. No recurrence of respiratory distress and no return visits for medical care were reported (95% confidence interval, 0% to 8.0%).

CONCLUSION: Patients with croup who are treated with racemic epinephrine, oral dexamethasone, and mist may be safely discharged home if the patient is assessed as ready for discharge after 3 hours of observation.