Phase I, Placebo-Controlled, Blinded Pilot Study of Ipratropium in Children Admitted to the ICU With Status Asthmaticus

Inclusion Criteria: * Admission to the PICU * Treatment with continuous albuterol via the Asthma Carepath * Enrollment occurred within 4 hours of starting continuous albuterol in the PICU * Treatment with systemic corticosteroids by the clinical team Exclusion Criteria: * First episode of wheezing that prompted treatment with bronchodilators by medical personnel * Prior enrollment in this study * Patients with chronic lung disease requiring routine home oxygen use * Allergy to inhaled ipratropium or inhaled saline * Positive pressure ventilation (via an endotracheal tube or a non-invasive mask \[e.g. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or BiPAP\]) * Pregnancy * Tracheostomy * Age \< 2 years * Age \> 17 years * Patient with pulmonary hypertension requiring daily therapy * Patient with cyanotic congenital heart disease * Cystic fibrosis