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A randomized trial of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline with salbutamol in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized infants
Author(s) -
Flores Pedro,
Mendes Ana Luisa,
Neto Ana S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.23306
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchiolitis , salbutamol , hypertonic saline , randomized controlled trial , acute bronchiolitis , adverse effect , saline , anesthesia , pediatrics , bronchodilator , asthma , respiratory system
Summary Objective Acute bronchiolitis is a common disorder of infants that often results in hospitalization. Apart from supportive care, no therapy has been shown to influence the course of the disease, except for a possible effect of nebulized hypertonic saline (HS). To determine whether this does have beneficial effects on length of stay in hospital or on severity scores, we undertook a double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial in a pediatric department of a Portuguese hospital. Methods Previously healthy infants, younger than 12 months, hospitalized with mild‐to‐moderate acute viral bronchiolitis were randomized to receive either nebulized 3% (hypertonic, HS) or 0.9% (normal, NS) saline during their entire hospital stay. Primary endpoints were: length of hospital stay and severity scores on each day of hospitalization. Need for supplemental oxygen, further add‐on medications and adverse effects were also analyzed. Results Sixty‐eight patients completed the study (HS: 33; NS: 35). The median length of hospital stay did not differ between groups: HS: 5.6 ± 2.3 days; NS: 5.4 ± 2.1 days ( P = 0.747). We found no difference between groups in severity scores from day 1 to day 4. There were no differences in need for supplemental oxygen or add‐on medications. Patients in HS group had significantly more cough (46% vs. 20%, P = 0.025) and rhinorrhoe (58% vs. 31%, P = 0.30). Conclusion This study does not support the use of nebulized HS over NS in therapy of hospitalized children with mild‐to‐moderate acute viral bronchiolitis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:418–425 . © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.