"Chilly Relief: Randomized Trial Tests Cold Air Treatment for Croup"
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in Pediatrics investigated the effect of cold air on croup symptoms in children. The study found that exposure to outdoor cold air (less than 10 degrees Celsius) after a dose of dexamethasone resulted in a statistically significant improvement in croup symptoms compared to indoor room temperature exposure. However, the benefit was short-lived, disappearing after 60 minutes, and the study had limitations such as potential bias due to its open-label design and subjective primary outcomes. Despite these limitations, the study suggests that cold air can provide short-term symptom relief for croup, with the caveat that caregivers should be cautious to avoid potential harms.