Recurrent Wheezing

This trial investigates whether a single dose of dexamethasone will prevent recurrent wheezing in children at high-risk for asthma admitted to hospital with a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Eligible children will be identified and enrolled upon hospital admission or during hospitalisation and allocated to receive either dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kilogram body weight or the similar number of placebo tablets (allocation ratio 1:1). The follow-up is 12 months and comprises scheduled on-site examinations by physician and study nurse, scheduled phone contacts, and registrations of new LRTI-episodes (if any). Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood will be collected at specified visits. The children will be invited to a follow-up study at school age for lung function assessments.