PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Jasmijn Teunissen AU - Anne H.J. Hochs AU - Anja Vaessen-Verberne AU - Annemie L.M. Boehmer AU - Carien C.J.M. Smeets AU - Hein Brackel AU - René van Gent AU - Judith Wesseling AU - Danielle Logtens-Stevens AU - Ronald de Moor AU - Philippe P.R. Rosias AU - Steph Potgieter AU - Marianne R. Faber AU - Han J.E. Hendriks AU - Maryska L.G. Janssen-Heijnen AU - Bettina F. Loza TI - The effect of 3% and 6% hypertonic saline in viral bronchiolitis: a randomised controlled trial AID - 10.1183/09031936.00159613 DP - 2014 Oct 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 913--921 VI - 44 IP - 4 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/4/913.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/4/913.full SO - Eur Respir J2014 Oct 01; 44 AB - 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. Hypertonic saline nebulisation did not reduce hospital stay for children with viral bronchiolitis http://ow.ly/xRVVx