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Previous studies demonstrated mixed results about the effect of hypertonic saline for the emergency department treatment of young children with bronchiolitis. Two new randomized, controlled trials add to the fray.
In one, Wu et al. enrolled 408 children <24 months of age presenting to two pediatric emergency departments with viral bronchiolitis during three bronchiolitis seasons. Patients received nebulized albuterol followed by 4 mL of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline or 0.9% normal saline, with repeat dosing at the provider's discretion. Admitted patients received albuterol followed by the study treatment every 8 hours until discharge. Fewer patients in the hypertonic saline group (29%) than the normal saline group were admitted (29% vs. 43%…