Could a lower steroid dose work just as well for croup?
NCT ID NCT06272383
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a 25% lower dose of dexamethasone (0.15 mg/kg) works as well as the standard dose (0.6 mg/kg) for treating croup in children. Croup is a viral infection that causes airway swelling and breathing trouble. The trial involved 50 children and tracked return hospital visits and side effects. The goal is to see if a lower dose can reduce steroid side effects while still being effective.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- dexamethasone
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that a lower dose of dexamethasone is just as effective for croup, potentially reducing steroid side effects in children.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 50 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The lower dose might be less effective, leading to more return hospital visits.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
-
50 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jun 2024
- Finished
-
Feb 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
6 months to 5 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged with clinical diagnosis of croup Exclusion Criteria: * Children who are unable to tolerate or ingest oral dexamethasone, * Known hypersensitivity/allergy to dexamethasone, * Other causes of stridor (such as acute epiglottitis, bacterial tracheitis, anaphylaxis, foreign body aspiration), * Other underlying systemic diseases defined as chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and immunodeficiency), * Recent exposure to varicella, * Treatment with oral or intravenous corticosteroids within the preceding 72 hours.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Children's Hospital Winnipeg
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.