Publication:

Comparison of the efficacies of normal saline versus hypertonic saline in the management of acute bronchiolitis’

Background The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of saline solutions of different concentrations used for the management of infants with mild to moderate bronchiolitis.

Methods A retrospective chart review of 46 children, aged 1-24 months, diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis was performed. The patients were separated into 2 groups: normal saline and 3% hypertonic saline. Length of hospital stay, modified respiratory assessment score (MRAS) at admission, at 48 hours of admission and at discharge were compared.

Results MRAS evaluated at admission, at 48 hours after admission and at discharge and length of hospital stay did not reveal significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusions Comparison of two different treatments, salbutamol applied in combination with either normal saline or 3% hypertonic saline, did not reveal any statistically significant differences with respect to symptomatic improvement or length of hospital stay.