Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of 3% hypertonic saline with 20% mannitol in the treatment of acute brain edema in children.Methods Twenty children with acute brain edema were randomly divided into hypertonic saline(HS) group and mannitol group.HS group and mannitol group were given 3% HS solution or 20% mannitol respectively.Main outcome measurements included intracranial pressure(ICP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),central venous pressure(CVP),cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP),serum electrolytes,plasma osmolality,renal function and urine volume.Results Both 3% HS and 20% mannitol were effective in reducing ICP(P ＜0.05).Therapeutic effect lasted(4.5±1.2) h in HS group and(3.2±1.5) h in mannitoi group.3% HS had a longer duration of action than marmitol(P＜0.05).At the time point of 2 hours after treatment,MAP and CPP of HS group increased more than those of mannitol group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both 3% HS and 20% mannitol could rapidly decrease ICP.3% HS has a longer duration of action in reducing ICP than 20% mannitol.3% HS is more effective in stabilizing circulation and improving CPP than 20% mannitol.