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288394

Low Dose versus High Dose Steroids in Treatment of Viral Encephalitis

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Last updated: 03 Jan 2025

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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.  

DOI

10.21608/ejhm.2023.288394

Keywords

Encephalitis, steroids, Central nervous system infections, Adjunctive steroid therapy, clinical trial, Assiut University

Authors

First Name

Gamal Ali Abd Elaal

Last Name

Askar

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First Name

Ahmed Alaa

Last Name

Nagy

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Email

ahmedalaanagy44@gmail.com

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First Name

Yasser Farouk

Last Name

Abdel-Rheem

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Volume

90

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

39562

Issue Date

2023-01-01

Receive Date

2023-03-03

Publish Date

2023-01-01

Page Start

3,067

Page End

3,074

Print ISSN

1687-2002

Online ISSN

2090-7125

Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/article_288394.html

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https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=288394

Order

164

Type

Original Article

Type Code

606

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine

Publication Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Low Dose versus High Dose Steroids in Treatment of Viral Encephalitis

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Article

Created At

24 Dec 2024