Efficacy of 3% hypertonic saline in bronchiolitis: A meta‑analysis

Abstract

A meta‑analysis was performed to analyze the efficacy of 3% hypertonic saline (HS) in bronchiolitis. Pubmed and MEDLINE databases were searched for relevant articles. A total of 2 authors selected the articles according to the inclusion criteria and then data were carefully extracted. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values were used to pool continuous data, including length of stay and clinical severity score (CSS). Relative risk (RR) with 95% CI was calculated to determine the association between 3% HS and re‑admission. The pooled data revealed that infants treated with 3% HS exhibited shorter durations of hospitalization compared with those treated with normal saline (NS; WMD=‑0.43; 95% CI=‑0.70, ‑0.15). Subgroup analysis examining the combination of HS or NS with additional medication demonstrated that 3% HS with epinephrine significantly decreased the length of hospital stay, with a WMD=‑0.62 (95% CI=‑0.90, ‑0.33). The results indicated a lower CSS score in the 3% HS group compared with the NS group (SMD=‑0.80; 95% CI=‑1.06, ‑0.54). The pooled outcome indicated a beneficial effect of 3% HS on decreasing re‑admission rates compared with NS (RR=0.93; 95% CI=0.70, 1.23). No potential publication bias was observed (Begg's, P=0.133; Egger's, P=0.576). In conclusion, 3% HS was demonstrated to be a more successful therapy compared with NS for infants with bronchiolitis.