Low Dose versus High Dose Steroids in Treatment of Viral Encephalitis | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||||
| Article 164, Volume 90, Issue 2, January 2023, Page 3067-3074 PDF (472.49 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2023.288394 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Gamal Ali Abd Elaal Askar; Ahmed Alaa Nagy  ; Yasser Farouk Abdel-Rheem
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| Abstract | ||||
| Background: A number of illnesses, including viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infestation, toxin, and autoimmune reactions to vaccines, can result in encephalitis, a serious, potentially fatal condition. Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of steroid pulse therapy versus low dose steroid on improvement of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), morbidity, and mortality among children with viral encephalitis. Patients and methods: A randomised controlled, double-blind, clinical trial was carried out for from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, at Assiut University Children Hospital (AUCH). All children treated for viral encephalitis at the Neurology Unit at AUCH during the research period were recruited. Participants were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n=50) received dexamethasone on dose 0.6mg/kg per day for 5 days, while Group 2 (n=50) received steroid pulse therapy (high dose methylprednisolone on dose 30mg/ kg per day for 5 days) followed by short course of oral prednisolone over 6 weeks. Results: The 2 studied groups showed improvement over time (from baseline to day 1, and day 5), but the degree of improvement was much better in Group 2 (steroid pulse therapy group). Conclusion: Steroid pulse therapy is effective, increases the possibility of full recovery and significantly reduces the duration of hospital stay needed for pediatric patients with viral encephalitis. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Encephalitis; Steroids; Central nervous system infections; Adjunctive steroid therapy; Clinical trial; Assiut University | ||||
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