Nebulized Hypertonic Saline in the Treatment of Viral Bronchiolitis in Infants.
Kuzik, Brian A. MD, MSc, FRCP(C); Al Qadhi, Samim A. MD, MBChB; Kent, Steven BSc(med), MD, FRCP(C); Flavin, Michael P. MB, MRCP(UK), FRCP(C); Hopman, Wilma MA; Hotte, Simon MD; Gander, Sarah MD
[Article] Journal of Pediatrics. 151(3):266-270, September 2007.

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Objective: To investigate the use of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline (HS) for treating viral bronchiolitis in moderately ill hospitalized infants by a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled, multicenter trial.

Study design: A total of 96 infants (mean age, 4.7 months; range, 0.3 to 18 months) admitted to the hospital for treatment of viral bronchiolitis were recruited from 3 regional pediatric centers over 3 bronchiolitis seasons (December 2003 to May 2006). Patients were randomized to receive, in a double-blind fashion, repeated doses of nebulized 3% HS (treatment group) or 0.9% normal saline (NS; control group), in addition to routine therapy ordered by the attending physician. The principal outcome measure was hospital length of stay (LOS).

Results: On an intention-to-treat basis, the infants in the HS group had a clinically relevant 26% reduction in LOS to 2.6 /- 1.9 days, compared with 3.5 /- 2.9 days in the NS group (P = .05). The treatment was well tolerated, with no adverse effects attributable to the use of HS.

Conclusions: The use of nebulized 3% HS is a safe, inexpensive, and effective treatment for infants hospitalized with moderately severe viral bronchiolitis.

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