title: The effect of 3% and 6% hypertonic saline in viral bronchiolitis: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: Bronchiolitis is a common disorder in young children that often results in hospitalisation. Except for a possible effect of nebulised hypertonic saline (sodium chloride), no evidence-based therapy is available. This study investigated the efficacy of nebulised 3% and 6% hypertonic saline compared with 0.9% hypertonic saline in children hospitalised with viral bronchiolitis. In this multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial, children hospitalised with acute viral bronchiolitis were randomised to receive either nebulised 3%, 6% hypertonic saline or 0.9% normal saline during their entire hospital stay. Salbutamol was added to counteract possible bronchial constriction. The primary endpoint was the length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were need for supplemental oxygen and tube feeding. From the 292 children included in the study (median age 3.4 months), 247 completed the study. The median length of hospital stay did not differ between the groups: 69 h (interquartile range 57), 70 h (IQR 69) and 53 h (IQR 52), for 3% (n=84) and 6% (n=83) hypertonic saline and 0.9% (n=80) normal saline, respectively, (p=0.29). The need for supplemental oxygen or tube feeding did not differ significantly. Adverse effects were similar in the three groups. Nebulisation with hypertonic saline (3% or 6% sodium chloride) although safe, did not reduce the length of stay in hospital, duration of supplemental oxygen or tube feeding in children hospitalised with moderate-to-severe viral bronchiolitis.
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, VieCuri Medical Centre, Venlo, The Netherlands.
authors: Jasmijn
authors: J
authors: Teunissen
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, VieCuri Medical Centre, Venlo, The Netherlands.
authors: Anne H J
authors: AH
authors: Hochs
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands.
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Vaessen-Verberne
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Annemie L M
authors: AL
authors: Boehmer
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors: Carien C J M
authors: CC
authors: Smeets
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Hein
authors: H
authors: Brackel
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: van Gent
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Wesseling
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, VieCuri Medical Centre, Venlo, The Netherlands.
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Logtens-Stevens
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Twee Steden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors: Ronald
authors: R
authors: de Moor
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Orbis Medical Centre, Sittard, The Netherlands.
authors: Philippe P R
authors: PP
authors: Rosias
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Laurentius Hospital, Roermond, The Netherlands.
authors: Steph
authors: S
authors: Potgieter
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors: Marianne R
authors: MR
authors: Faber
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Han J E
authors: HJ
authors: Hendriks
authors: Dept of Clinical Epidemiology, VieCuri Medical Centre, Venlo, The Netherlands.
authors: Maryska L G
authors: ML
authors: Janssen-Heijnen
authors: Dept of Paediatrics, VieCuri Medical Centre, Venlo, The Netherlands bloza@viecuri.nl.
authors: Bettina F
authors: BF
authors: Loza
mesh_terms: D001990:Bronchiolitis, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic