Controversies in the application of corticosteroids for pediatric septic shock treatment: a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis-compliant updated meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: Septic shock is the major cause of childhood mortality. However, the application of corticosteroids remains controversial. This work aimed to analyze the source of controversy based on existing data and recent randomized controlled trials by meta-analysis and to assess whether it can avoid these factors to guide clinical treatment. METHODS: We searched the public databases up to 8 June 2019 and included only randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was mortality. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and dose-response meta-analysis were performed in this work. RESULTS: We included twelve studies consisting of 701 children in the meta-analysis. For primary outcome, the fixed-effect model showed steroids could significantly reduce the mortality compared to the control (Odds Ratio: 0.67; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.98; P = .041). However, the random-effect model showed a negative result (Odds Ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.32-1.51; P = .252). None of the subgroup results rejected the null hypothesis that the overall effect equaled zero. Dose-response effect analysis showed that increased dosage at a low dosage might reduce the mortality, while at a high dosage, increasing the dose might increase the mortality. Moreover, the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation level of evidence is low for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid application is not recommended for septic shock children under current medical conditions.