Nebulised Hypertonic Saline with Salbutamol for Wheeze in Children: A Randomised, Double-blind Controlled Study
Priya Jose, K. Peter Prasanth Kumar, Lalitha Krishnan, Bridgette Akila, M.N.G. Nair
Keywords :
Hypertonic saline, Normal saline, Wheeze, Salbutamol
Citation Information :
Jose P, Kumar KP, Krishnan L, Akila B, Nair M. Nebulised Hypertonic Saline with Salbutamol for Wheeze in Children: A Randomised, Double-blind Controlled Study. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci 2016; 58 (4):237-240.
Background: Wheezing in children is one of the common problems in pediatrics. Recent research has shown that hypertonic saline has shown potential benefit in children with bronchiolitis.
Methods: In this randomised, double-blind controlled trial (n=72), children aged two months to eight years, presenting with wheeze were block randomised to receive salbutamol with 3% hypertonic saline (3%) (Group A) or salbutamol with normal saline (0.9%) (Group B). Wang et al1 clinical severity score was used to assess severity. The primary outcome was length of stay in the hospital. Secondary outcomes were to know the adverse effects in both the groups, to assess the rate of re-admission within seven days.
Results: Between the two groups there was no statistically significant difference with respect to demographic data, risk factors studied and the underlying pathology. Salbutamol with hypertonic saline nebulisation reduces the length of stay. There was statistically significant difference in the mean number of doses of salbutamol required in both the groups (p=0.03).
Conclusions: We recommend that nebulised hypertonic saline (3%) with salbutamol to be considered more effective and safe alternative to nebulisation with normal (0.9%) saline and salbutamol. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number: Trial REF/2013/03/004799.
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