Ref (type)	Population	Outcome, Interventions	Results and statistical analysis	Effect size	Favours
Change in croup score
RCT	144 children with moderately severe croup In review	Mean change in croup score from baseline (assessed using Westley croup score [see table 1 ]) 5 hours –2.9 with intramuscular dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg –2.0 with nebulised budesonide 4 mg	Estimated treatment difference –0.9 95% CI –1.5 to –0.3 P = 0.003 Potential methodological issue with blinding; see further information on studies	Effect size not calculated	intramuscular dexamethasone
RCT	59 children aged 3 months to 6 years hospitalised for croup In review	Improvement in Westley croup score 6 hours with intramuscular dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg with nebulised budesonide 1 mg Absolute results not reported	P = 0.001 Information about how blinding was carried out was not available in the abstract	Effect size not calculated	intramuscular dexamethasone
RCT	59 children aged 3 months to 6 years hospitalised for croup In review	Improvement in Westley croup score 12 hours with intramuscular dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg with nebulised budesonide 1 mg Absolute results not reported	P = 0.0004 Information about how blinding was carried out was not available in the abstract	Effect size not calculated	intramuscular dexamethasone