Humidified air for treatment of croup: does it work?

WELL, DOES IT?

--Treatment of croup with humidified air is not effective according to multiple studies

--In a JAMA article, 140 children with moderate-severe croup either received humidified blow-by O2, 40% humidified O2 or 100% humidified O2 with no difference found in croup score, treatment with epi or dex, hospital admission, or additional medical care between groups

--Another study of 71 children age 3 months – 6 yrs with moderate croup received either mist stick or no mist for 2 hours showed no difference in croup score, O2 sat, HR or RR between groups

--Some risks of humidified air include scald injuries, dispension of molds and fungus from improperly cleaned mist tents

BOTTOM LINE:
--Treatment of croup with humidified air is not effective in improving vitals or need for further treatment


Submitted by F. DiFranco.


Reference(s):  Bjornson C., Johnson D.W. Croup. The Lancet. 371:329-339, Jan. 2008.; Neto G., Kentab O., Klassen T., Osmond M. A randomized controlled trial of mist in the acute treatment of moderate croup. Academic Emergency Medicine. 9:873-879, 2002.; Scolnik D., Coates A., Stephens D., DaSilva Z., Lavine E., Schuh S. Controlled delivery of high vs low humidity vs mist therapy for croup in emergency departments. JAMA. 295:1274-80, 2006. , picture