This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Overview). The objectives are as follows:

Main objectives

• To summarise Cochrane Reviews on the efficacy and safety of interventions for escalation of treatment for children with acute exacerbations of asthma

Secondary objectives

• To identify gaps in the current evidence base that will inform recommendations for future research and subsequent Cochrane Reviews

• To categorise information on reported outcome measures used in trials of escalation of treatment for acute exacerbations of asthma in children, and to make recommendations for development and reporting of standard outcomes in future trials and reviews

• To identify relevant research papers that have been published since the date of publication of each included review