Assessment of the Efficacy of Nebulized 3% Hypertonic Saline versus Nebulized Adrenaline in Infants with Acute Bronchiolitis

Aims: The aim of the work was to assess the efficacy of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline versus nebulized adrenaline in treatment of acute bronchiolitis in infants as supportive therapy with conventional therapy.

Place and Duration of Study: Pediatric Pulmonology Unit (PPU), Tanta University Hospital (TUH), was applied during the period from April 2019 to April 2020.

Methodology: We included ninety infants with moderate to severe acute bronchiolitis were selected, enrolled in the study and randomized into 3 groups: Group A: thirty patients were received nebulized 3% hypertonic saline plus conventional therapy. Was started from first day of admission till RADI score became 4. Group B: thirty patients were received nebulized adrenaline plus conventional therapy. Was started from first day of admission till RADI score became 4. Group C: thirty patients were received conventional therapy. Was started from first day of admission till RADI score became 4. They were subjected to history taking, clinical assessment and investigations (CXR, ECHO, CBC and CRP). Follow up done in Chest Clinic four day after discharge.

Results: There was statistically significant difference between studied groups as mean duration of O2 supplementation was significantly shorter in group B than in group A than in group C (p-value<0.05). On admission, mean RR in group B was significantly higher than those in groups A and C (p-value=0.05), On 5th day, mean RR in group B was significantly lower than those in groups A and C (p-value= 0.05). On admission, mean HR in group B was significantly higher than those in groups A and c (p-value =0.05) On 5th days, mean HR in group B was significantly lower than those in groups A and C (p-value= 0.05), with no statistically significant difference between groups A and C. length of hospitalization in studied groups group B showed significantly shorter need for hospital stay than that in groups A and C, with no statistically significant difference between group A and C.

Conclusion: When comparing between inhalation of adrenaline and hypertonic saline 3% in acute bronchiolitis adrenaline improve RD, oxygenation and decrease length of hospitalization.