Admission predictability of children with acute asthma

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the seasonal variations of acute asthma presentation in children and the utility of the pediatric asthma score (PAS) and its components in early admission prediction. METHODS: As part of a randomized controlled trial addressing the clinical efficacy of budesonide nebulization in the treatment of acute asthma in children, the PAS was measured at baseline, 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), and 4(th) h from the start of medications. Decision of admission was taken at or beyond the 2(nd) h. RESULTS: Out of a total 906 emergency department (ED) visits with moderate-to-severe acute asthma, 157 children were admitted. June to September had the lowest number of visits. The admission-to-discharge ratio varied throughout the year. During the ED stay, between baseline and 3(rd) h, admission predictability of the total score improved progressively with a small difference between the 2(nd) and 3(rd) h. The total score remained the strongest predictor of admission at every time point compared to its individual components. The drop of PAS from baseline to the 2(nd) h was not a good predictor of admission. Oxygen saturation (OS) and respiratory rate (RR) had relatively higher predictability than other components. CONCLUSIONS: Decision of admission could be made to many children with moderate-to-severe acute asthma at the 2(nd) h of ED stay based on their total PAS. OS and RR should be part of any scoring system to evaluate acute asthma in children.