OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of inhaled nebulized hypertonic saline (HS) solution in infants with acute bronchiolitis.

METHODTotally 129 patients with acute bronchiolitis (clinical severity score ≥ 4, aged 2-18 months) admitted to the Capital Institute of Pediatrics from November 2012 to January 2013 were enrolled. All the subjects were assigned to receive 1.5 ml compound ipratropium bromide solution for inhalation and 1 ml budesonide firstly, twice a day. Then, the subjects were randomized to receive 2 ml doses of nebulized 5% HS (Group A), 3% HS (Group B) or 0.9% NS (Group C), twice a day. The treatment lasted for 3 days. Clinical severity scores before treatment and 24, 48, 72 h after treatment were documented. Bronchospasm, nausea and emesis were recorded to assess safety.

RESULTA total of 124 patients completed this research.Group A included 40 cases, Group B included 42 cases, Group C included 42 cases. Demographic characteristics, pre-treatment duration and clinical severity score before treatment were similar among the 3 group.Seventy-two hours after treatment, the clinical severity score of Group A, B, and C were 3.5 (1.0) , 4.0 (1.0) and 5.0 (0) . At 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment, the clinical severity score were significantly different among the three groups (χ(2) = 36.000, 51.200, 50.800, P < 0.05) .One patient in Group A got paroxysmal cough everytime as soon as he received 5% HS (6 times).Other 3 patients in Group A got paroxysmal cough once. The incidence of adverse effect of Group A was 3.75% (9/240); no adverse event occurred in other group. The incidence of adverse effect among this three group was significantly different (χ(2) = 19.13, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONInhalation of nebulized 5% and 3% hypertonic saline could decrease clinical symptoms of patient with acute bronchiolitis; 5% HS was superior to 3% HS. But 2 ml dose of 5% HS may induce paroxysmal cough.