Comparison of Mean Length of Hospital Stay Between Hypertonic (3% Saline) With Normal (0.9% Saline) Nebulization in the Management of Acute Bronchiolitis in Children 2 Months To 18 Months of Age

Ali Asghar Taseer; Sadia  Zafar; Muhammad  Irfan; Sumaira  Hassan; Sidra  Sehrish; Uzma  Yasin

doi:10.29054/apmc/2023.829

Ali Asghar Taseer Senior Registrar, Department of Pediatrics, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Sadia Zafar Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad Pakistan
Muhammad Irfan Senior Registrar, Department of Pediatrics, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Sumaira Hassan Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Sidra Sehrish Senior Registrar, Department of Pediatrics, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan
Uzma Yasin Senior Registrar, Department of Pediatrics, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2023.829

Keywords: Length of hospital stay, Hypertonic (3%) saline, Normal (0.9%) saline nebulization, Bronchiolitis in children

Abstract

Background: Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory tract ailment of infants. The mainstay of treatment for acute bronchiolitis remains supportive. Objective: To compare the mean length of hospital stay between hypertonic saline (HS) and normal saline (NS) nebulization in the management of acute bronchiolitis in children 2-18 months of age. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Settings: Department of Pediatrics, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: Six months from January 01, 2021 to June 30, 2021. Methods: Total 70 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included and divided into two groups. In group A, patients were given 4 ml HS solution and in group B, patients were given 4 ml NS solution every 2 hourly for three doses, then every 4 hourly for five doses, followed by every 6 hourly until discharge by standard air compressed nebulizers. Patients were monitored every 6 hourly by on duty doctor and length of hospital stay was assessed. Results: In Group-A mean age of children was 6.71 ± 4.79 months and in Group-B 6.43 ± 3.69months. Mean clinical severity score at discharge in Group-A and in Group-B was 1.63 ± 1.66 and 3.46 ± 1.40 respectively. Mean length of hospital stay of children in Group-A was 2.83 ± 0.78 and in Group-B it was 3.80 ± 0.71 days (p-value: 0.000). Conclusion: HS is superior to NS nebulization in the management of bronchiolitis in children in terms of mean length of hospital stay.