Hypertonic Saline to Reduce Hospital Admissions in Bronchiolitis

Summary

Inhaled 3% hypertonic saline (HS) administered every 2-8 hours to infants admitted to hospital with viral bronchiolitis has been shown to improve airway clearance and reduces length of stay. Hypothesis: When infants first present to the ER, frequent administration of HS over a brief time period will provide significant symptom improvement such that the need for hospital admission will be reduced. Objective: To determine in a randomized, controlled and double-blind fashion if the short term intensive use of inhaled 3% hypertonic saline (HS) in the Emergency Room (ER) can reduce the rate of hospital admission for infants presenting with moderately severe viral bronchiolitis.

Timeline

Start

2008-11

Primary completion

2009-04

Completion

2009-05

Publications

• Kuzik BA, Flavin MP, Kent S, Zielinski D, Kwan CW, Adeleye A, Vegsund BC, Rossi C. Effect of inhaled hypertonic saline on hospital admission rate in children with viral bronchiolitis: a randomized trial. CJEM. 2010 Nov;12(6):477-84. doi: 10.1017/s1481803500012690.

Drugs

Indications