From the Research
There is no clear benefit to giving pediatric patients a dose of Decadron (dexamethasone) for supportive otitis media, as the current evidence is limited and does not support its use as a standard treatment. The provided evidence does not specifically address the use of dexamethasone in supportive otitis media, but rather focuses on the management of acute otitis media (AOM) with paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 1, 2. Some studies suggest that dexamethasone may be beneficial in reducing inflammation and pain in the middle ear, but its use is not routinely recommended as standard care for all cases of otitis media 3, 4. In fact, a study from 1985 found that oral dexamethasone was not effective in treating persistent middle ear effusion in children 5. Given the limited evidence and potential side effects, dexamethasone should only be considered as an adjunctive treatment in severe cases of otitis media with significant pain or when pain control is challenging, and its use should be weighed against the potential benefits and risks. It is essential to prioritize the use of evidence-based treatments, such as paracetamol or NSAIDs, for pain relief in children with AOM, and to consider other management options, such as tympanostomy tubes, in cases of recurrent or persistent otitis media 1, 2, 4.