Does nebulized hypertonic saline shorten hospitalization in young children with acute viral wheezing?

Although previous studies have shown benefits of nebulized hypertonic saline (HS) for improving airway clearance and shortening hospitalization in infants with bronchiolitis, prospective blinded studies in preschool children with acute viral wheezing are limited.

To determine nebulized 3% HS efficacy in young children admitted with acute viral wheezing.

This double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in children aged 6 months to 5 years admitted with acute viral wheezing from July 1st to December 31st 2016. Patients were randomized to receive inhalation of 2.5 mg salbutamol dissolved in either 3% HS or normal saline (NS). Clinical data, asthma clinical severity score, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were recorded.

A total of 47 patients were enrolled (22 in HS and 25 in NS) without significant differences in demographic data and baseline clinical scores. Median LOS and median time of oxygen therapy were significantly shorter in HS than NS group: 48 versus 72 h, P = 0.021 and 36 versus 72 h, P = 0.025, respectively. HS patients had significantly improved asthma clinical severity scores, respiratory rates and oxygen saturation at 12 h compared to NS group (P-value 0.042, 0.032, and 0.043). There were no adverse events.

In children under 5 years admitted with acute viral wheezing, nebulized hypertonic saline/salbutamol significantly shortened hospital stay length, time of oxygen therapy, and improved asthma clinical severity score faster than normal saline/salbutamol.