title: Nebulized hypertonic saline without adjunctive bronchodilators for children with bronchiolitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal was to determine an adverse event rate for nebulized hypertonic saline solution administered without adjunctive bronchodilators for infants with bronchiolitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study of the use of nebulized 3% saline for children<2 years of age who were hospitalized with the primary diagnosis of bronchiolitis at a single academic medical center. The medical records of study participants were analyzed for the use of nebulized 3% saline solution and any documented adverse events related to this therapy. Other clinical outcomes evaluated included respiratory distress scores, timing of the use of bronchodilators in relation to 3% saline solution, transfer to a higher level of care, and readmission within 72 hours after discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 444 total doses of 3% saline solution were administered, with 377 doses (85%) being administered without adjunctive bronchodilators. Four adverse events occurred with these 377 doses, for a 1.0% adverse event rate (95% confidence interval: 0.3%-2.8%). Adverse events were generally mild. One episode of bronchospasm was documented, for a rate of 0.3% (95% confidence interval: <0.01%-1.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of 3% saline solution without adjunctive bronchodilators for inpatients with bronchiolitis had a low rate of adverse events in our center. Additional clinical trials of 3% saline solution in bronchiolitis should evaluate its effectiveness in the absence of adjunctive bronchodilators.
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Pediatrics, and Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, MSC 7829, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. ralstons@uthscsa.edu
authors: Shawn
authors: S
authors: Ralston
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Hill
authors: Marissa
authors: M
authors: Martinez
mesh_terms: D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic