Loading...
In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, investigators evaluated the effect of nebulized hypertonic saline on admission rates and adverse events in previously healthy term infants (6 weeks to 12 months of age) with first-time moderate to severe bronchiolitis. Infants requiring intensive care admission were excluded.
Over two bronchiolitis seasons, 777 infants (median age, 3 months) presenting to pediatric emergency departments in France were randomized to receive two 4 mL doses given 20 minutes apart of either nebulized 3% hypertonic saline (HS) or 0.9% normal saline (NS). In both groups, respiratory distress scores improved after treatments, although there was a slightly greater improvement in the HS group. After adjusting for conf…