Comparison of the Effects of Salbutamol, Epinephrine, and 5% Inhaled Hypertonic Saline on Infants with Acute Bronchiolitis

Background: Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection and one of the major health concerns and hospitalization factors in infants. Objectives: This study aimed to address inconsistencies in treating this disease. Methods: This study is a double-blind clinical trial investigating the effect of salbutamol, epinephrine, and 5% inhaled hypertonic saline on treating infants with bronchiolitis referred to the Taleghani Pediatrics Hospital in Gorgan, Iran, during 2019 - 2020. The clinical results of the treatments and hospitalization stay were also evaluated. Results: In this study, the study sample encompassed 18 girls and 39 boys. There was no significant difference between the three groups regarding age, gender, parental literacy level, and history of allergies. Salbutamol and epinephrine, in comparison to hypertonic saline, were effective in shortening patients' hospital stay (P = 0.004). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the oxygen saturation of in the patients 48 h after treatment in the salbutamol and epinephrine groups compared to the saline group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: In comparison to hypertonic saline, salbutamol and epinephrine can be selected to treat children with acute bronchiolitis since they can shorten hospital stay improve O2 saturation, and decrease treatment costs imposed on the health care system and families.