Comparing the Efficacy of 7%, 3% and 0.9% Saline in Moderate to Severe Bronchiolitis in Infants.

Background: There is no standard treatment option in acute bronchiolitis. 3-7% hypertonic saline (HS) seems to be the effective treatment choice for reducing the hospitalization day.

Aims: To compare the effect of nebulized 7% HS/salbutamol and 3% HS/salbutamol to 0.9% saline/salbutamol. The primary outcome measure was the effect of study drugs on the length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcome measures were safety and efficacy in reducing the clinical severity score (CSS) at the 24 hours of the study.

Study Design: Prospective, double-blinded randomized clinical study.

Methods: The study consists of 104 infants. Groups were constituted according to the treatment they received: These are, group A - 0.9% saline/salbutamol, group B -3% HS/salbutamol and group C-7% HS/salbutamol. Heart beat, Bronchiolitis CSS and oxygen saturation of the patients were determined before and after nebulization. The patients were monitored for adverse reactions.

Results: Length of hospital stay in group A, B and C were as follows; 72.0 (20-288) hours in group A, 64.0 (12-168) hours in group B and 60.0 (12-264) hours in group C. No significant differences was observed among three groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: 7% HS and 3% HS does not have any effect to decrease LOS for infants with bronchiolitis.