Guidelines
Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone

Dose

0.15 mg/kg/day (max of 6 mg/dose) IV or PO

Duration

10 days or until discharge if earlier

May also be stopped if rapid improvement and no longer needing oxygen.

Notes

May consider an alternative corticosteroid if warranted.

High-dose dexamethasone is NOT RECOMMENDED for pediatric patients being treated for COVID-19.

Dexamethasone is NOT recommended for COVID-19 in those not requiring oxygen or who improve rapidly. This sub-group of patients in the RECOVERY trial showed a trend towards harm, potentially due to inhibition of the immune response, reducing viral clearance, and increasing viral shedding.