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Nebulized 3% hypertonic saline solution treatment in ambulatory children with viral bronchiolitis decreases symptoms

E Michael Sarrell1, Guy Tal, Michaela Witzling

  • 1Pediatrics and Adolescent Ambulatory Community Clinic of General Health Services, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, 62 Halochamim Street, Holon 58100, Israel.

Chest
|December 12, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Inhaled 3% saline solution with terbutaline effectively reduced symptoms in infants with viral bronchiolitis. This treatment improved clinical severity scores compared to standard 0.9% saline solution.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Infections
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Viral bronchiolitis is a common respiratory infection in infants.
  • Current treatments focus on supportive care, with limited options for symptom management.
  • Ambulatory infants with viral bronchiolitis often present with significant respiratory distress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of inhaled hypertonic saline solution in treating ambulatory infants diagnosed with viral bronchiolitis.
  • To compare the effectiveness of 3% saline solution versus 0.9% saline solution when combined with terbutaline for symptom relief.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted with 65 infants.
  • Participants received either 3% saline or 0.9% saline with terbutaline via nebulized aerosol three times daily for five days.
  • Clinical severity (CS) scores were used to assess treatment effectiveness.

Main Results:

  • Baseline CS scores were similar between the 3% saline and 0.9% saline groups.
  • The 3% saline group showed significantly lower CS scores on each treatment day compared to the 0.9% saline group (p < 0.005).
  • Percentage decrease in CS scores was significantly greater in the 3% saline group (33%) versus the 0.9% saline group (13%) after the first day (p < 0.005).

Conclusions:

  • Aerosolized 3% saline solution combined with terbutaline is effective in reducing symptoms of viral bronchiolitis in nonasthmatic, nonseverely ill ambulatory infants.
  • This hypertonic saline treatment demonstrates superior efficacy compared to 0.9% saline solution when administered with terbutaline.
  • Inhaled hypertonic saline offers a promising therapeutic option for symptom management in this pediatric population.
Abstract

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