{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "kind": "condition",
  "id": "pediatric-asthma-acute-exacerbation",
  "name": "Mild-to-Moderate Acute Asthma Exacerbation in Children",
  "category": "chronic",
  "sources": "GINA Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention 2023",
  "review_status": "reviewed",
  "verified_against": "GINA Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention 2023 · Mild-to-Moderate Acute Asthma Exacerbation in Children - disease-level clinical article (pediatric-asthma-acute-exacerbation-full.txt)",
  "verified_date": "2026-08",
  "treatments": [
    {
      "id": 1393,
      "generic": "Salbutamol",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": "oral.inhalation",
      "strength_mg": 0.1,
      "adult_dose": "Not applicable - pediatric condition",
      "adult_duration": "1-3 days during acute flare",
      "dose_source": "GINA Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention 2023",
      "rationale": "Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) via pressurisd metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) with spacer is equal or superior to nebulizer",
      "cautions": [
        "ALWAYS USE SPACER: pMDI + spacer is as effective as nebulizer and reduces systemic side effects.",
        "If child requires >6 puffs every 4 hours or shows red flags (silent chest, cyanosis, intercostal retraction, inability to talk), TRANSFER URGENTLY TO HOSPITAL.",
        "Tachycardia and fine tremor are common transient beta-2 agonist side effects."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "Children <6 years: 2-6 puffs via spacer + face mask every 20 mins for 1 hour; Children >=6 years: 4-10 puffs via spacer every 20 mins for 1 hour",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": [
        {
          "label": "Under 6 years",
          "age_min_months": 0,
          "age_max_months": 71,
          "dose_text": "2 to 6 puffs via spacer with face mask, every 20 minutes for 1 hour"
        },
        {
          "label": "6 years and over",
          "age_min_months": 72,
          "age_max_months": 216,
          "dose_text": "4 to 10 puffs via spacer, every 20 minutes for 1 hour"
        }
      ],
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [
        {
          "trade_name": "AEROLIN 100MCG/DOSE INHALER",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EIPICO > 3M HEALTH CARE-U.K.",
          "price_egp": 7.3,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 0.1,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "BUTALIN 100MCG/ACTUATION 200 DOSES",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "JULPHAR",
          "price_egp": 12.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 0.1,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "VENTAL INHALER 100 MCG/DOSE 200 DOSES",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "ARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)",
          "price_egp": 72.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 0.1,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "VIASALMOL 100MCG 200 ACTUATION INHALER",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "MDI PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 72.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 0.1,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "VENTOLIN EVOHALER 100MCG/ACTUATION INHALER",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "GLAXO SMITHKLINE",
          "price_egp": 86.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 0.1,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "OPICHESTAL SYRUP 120ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EL-OBOUR",
          "price_egp": 2.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": null,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "SALBUTAMOL 2MG/5ML SYRUP 120ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "SEDICO",
          "price_egp": 3.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 2.0,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        }
      ],
      "condition_id": "pediatric-asthma-acute-exacerbation"
    },
    {
      "id": 1395,
      "generic": "Referral & safety-netting (no drug therapy)",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": null,
      "strength_mg": null,
      "adult_dose": null,
      "adult_duration": null,
      "dose_source": "Mild-to-Moderate Acute Asthma Exacerbation in Children - disease-level clinical article (pediatric-asthma-acute-exacerbation-full.txt)",
      "rationale": "Carries the referral criteria and warning signs for this condition, which apply whichever treatment is chosen.",
      "cautions": [
        "RED FLAG - The signs of impending respiratory failure and arrest are altered mental status, lethargy, cyanosis, and a silent chest."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": null,
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [],
      "condition_id": "pediatric-asthma-acute-exacerbation"
    },
    {
      "id": 1394,
      "generic": "Prednisolone",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": true,
      "form": "oral.solid",
      "strength_mg": 5.0,
      "adult_dose": "Not applicable - pediatric condition",
      "adult_duration": "3-5 days",
      "dose_source": "GINA Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention 2023",
      "rationale": "Prednisolone is an oral corticosteroid added to bronchodilator therapy during an acute asthma exacerbation to reduce airway inflammation and speed recovery; it is a short adjunct course, not maintenance therapy.",
      "cautions": [
        "Short course (3-5 days) does NOT require tapering.",
        "Give with food in the morning to prevent GI distress and insomnia.",
        "Re-evaluate baseline controller therapy (ICS) post-exacerbation."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": 1.0,
      "peds_mgkg_high": 2.0,
      "peds_max_mg": 40.0,
      "peds_basis": "day",
      "peds_unit": "mg",
      "peds_note": "1-2 mg/kg once daily in the morning (max 20 mg for <2 yrs, 30 mg for 2-5 yrs, 40 mg for >5 yrs) for 3-5 days",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": [
        {
          "label": "Under 2 years",
          "age_min_months": 0,
          "age_max_months": 23,
          "dose_text": "1 to 2 mg/kg once daily in the morning, maximum 20 mg, for 3 to 5 days"
        },
        {
          "label": "2 to 5 years",
          "age_min_months": 24,
          "age_max_months": 71,
          "dose_text": "1 to 2 mg/kg once daily in the morning, maximum 30 mg, for 3 to 5 days"
        },
        {
          "label": "Over 5 years",
          "age_min_months": 72,
          "age_max_months": 216,
          "dose_text": "1 to 2 mg/kg once daily in the morning, maximum 40 mg, for 3 to 5 days"
        }
      ],
      "peds_doses": [
        {
          "weight_kg": 10,
          "low_mg": 10,
          "high_mg": 20,
          "capped": false
        },
        {
          "weight_kg": 20,
          "low_mg": 20,
          "high_mg": 40,
          "capped": false
        },
        {
          "weight_kg": 30,
          "low_mg": 30,
          "high_mg": 40,
          "capped": true
        },
        {
          "weight_kg": 40,
          "low_mg": 40,
          "high_mg": 40,
          "capped": true
        }
      ],
      "brands": [
        {
          "trade_name": "HOSTACORTIN H 5MG 30 TAB.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "SANOFI",
          "price_egp": 12.0,
          "pack_count": 30,
          "unit_price": 0.4,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDNISOLONE 5 MG 20 TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "ARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)",
          "price_egp": 24.0,
          "pack_count": 20,
          "unit_price": 1.2,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDILONE 5MG 10 TAB. (25 STRIPS PACK)",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "KAHIRA",
          "price_egp": 250.0,
          "pack_count": 10,
          "unit_price": 25.0,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "EPICOPRED 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EIPICO",
          "price_egp": 69.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDNISOLONE-EVA 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "EVA PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 79.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "DISPRELONE-OD 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSABLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "ANDALOUS PHARMA",
          "price_egp": 84.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "SOLUPRED ORO 5 MG 30 ORODISPERSIBLE TABS.",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "SANOFI WINTHROP > SANOFI",
          "price_egp": 84.0,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": true,
          "exact_form": true,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "ACETASEE 1% EYE DROPS (SUSP.) 5 ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "RAMEDA",
          "price_egp": 7.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": null,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        },
        {
          "trade_name": "PREDNIS 5MG/5ML SYRUP 100 ML",
          "scientific_name": null,
          "normalized_ingredient": null,
          "manufacturer": "PHAROPHARMA",
          "price_egp": 9.5,
          "pack_count": null,
          "unit_price": null,
          "strength_mg": 5.0,
          "exact_strength": false,
          "exact_form": false,
          "discontinued": false,
          "also_contains": null
        }
      ],
      "condition_id": "pediatric-asthma-acute-exacerbation"
    }
  ]
}