Inhaled Corticosteroids Use Before Hospitalization May Be Protective in Children With Direct Lung Injury

Background: Systemic corticosteroid use in acute respiratory failure has yielded uncertain benefits, partially because of off-target side effects. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) confer localized antiinflammatory benefits and may protect adults with direct lung injury (DLI) from developing respiratory failure. To our knowledge, this relationship has not been studied in children.

Research question: Do children with DLI who are prescribed ICSs before hospitalization have lower odds of progressing to respiratory failure?

Study design and methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort identified children seeking treatment at the ED with DLI and medication records before hospitalization. The primary outcome was intubation; secondary outcomes included noninvasive respiratory support (NRS). We tested the association of ICSs with intubation and NRS, adjusting for confounders. We stratified analyses on history of asthma and performed a sensitivity analysis adjusting for systemic corticosteroid use to account for status asthmaticus.

Results: Of 35,220 patients, 17,649 patients (50%) were prescribed ICSs. Intubation occurred in 169 patients (73 patients receiving ICSs) and NRS was used in 3,582 patients (1,336 patients receiving ICS). ICS use was associated with lower intubation (adjusted OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.31-0.67) and NRS (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.40-0.49). The association between ICS and NRS differed according to history of asthma (P = .04 for interaction), with ICS exposure remaining protective only for patients with a history of asthma. Results held true in sensitivity analyses.

Interpretation: ICS use prior to hospitalization may protect children with DLI from progressing to respiratory failure, with possible differential efficacy according to history of asthma.