Comparison of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline with 0.9% normal saline for treatment of acute bronchiolitis in children up to 2 years of age

Abstract

Objective: To compare efficacy of nebulised 3% hypertonic saline with 0.9% normal saline for treatment of acute bronchiolitis in children up to 2 years of age in terms of mean days of hospital stay and clinical severity score. Methodology: This Randomized controlled trial (RCT) was done in department of Paediatrics, POF Hospital Wah Cantt from 1^st November 2015 to 31^st March 2016. Children in group 1 were nebulized with 3% hypertonic saline and group 2 with 0.9% normal saline.

Results: In group 1 the mean clinical severity score at the time of admission was 8.46 + 1.10 and in group 2, 8.7 + 0.98. In group 1 the mean clinical severity score after 3 days was 2.7 + 0.87 and in group 2, 4.4 + 0.999. The mean length of hospital stay for group 1 was 4.23 days + 1.2 and in group 2 it was 6.4 days + 1.4. Mean of clinical clarity score after 3 days and mean of length of hospital stay was compared between both groups for which the p value was significant.

Conclusion: Hypertonic saline nebulization has shown improved outcome in bronchiolitis. More studies are required to see the outcome of this method of treatment.