Effect of corticosteroids on survival of children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Pneumocystis carinii-related respiratory failure.

Abstract

The medical records of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were reviewed to evaluate the effect of our adoption to the pediatric population of the National Institutes of Health recommendation for adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in adults with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. In 21 episodes of P. carinii-related respiratory failure, only adjunctive corticosteroids were associated with a significant improvement in survival to successful removal of the tracheal tube, from a historical rate of 11% to 91%.

• Authors: G E McLaughlin, S S Virdee, C L Schleien, B H Holzman, G B Scott
• Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr) Vol. 126 Issue 5 Pt 1 Pg. 821-4 (May 1995) ISSN: 0022-3476 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7752016 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Anti-Infective Agents

Topics

• AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections (complications, mortality, therapy)
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (complications)
• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Anti-Infective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Humans
• Infant
• Intubation, Intratracheal
• Pneumonia, Pneumocystis (complications, mortality, therapy)
• Respiration, Artificial
• Respiratory Insufficiency (etiology, mortality, therapy)
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Rate
• Treatment Outcome