Efficacy Of Combined Nebulized Hypertonic Saline and Chest Percussion Therapy in Acute Viral Bronchiolitis

Inclusion Criteria:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study (experimental arm), an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

• Age 0 to 24 months

• Admitted to the general inpatient pediatrics unit

• Has a diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis

• Receiving supplemental oxygen support

Data collected for the control arm will be obtained via retrospective chart review for patients meeting the following inclusion criteria:

• Age 0 to 24 months

• Admitted to the general inpatient pediatrics unit

• Has a diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis

• Receiving supplemental oxygen support

Exclusion Criteria:

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

• Admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit

• Has an underlying pre-existing condition that may affect the respiratory system (includes bronchopulmonary dysplasia, reactive airways disease, asthma, restrictivelung diseases, other chronic lung diseases, etc.)

• Has other comorbid conditions upon admission that may affect the respiratory system (includes pneumonia or other bacterial or fungal lung infections, acute exacerbationof reactive airways disease, acute exacerbation of asthma, pulmonary edema, pleuraleffusion, etc.)

• Has an absolute contraindication to nebulized 3% hypertonic saline, for example, ahistory of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction

• Is receiving other respiratory treatments such as bronchodilator treatments (i.e.albuterol or levalbuterol)

• Is receiving other adjuvant therapy such as antibiotics, antivirals,glucocorticoids, corticosteroids, or diuretics

A potential study subject in the control arm via retrospective chart review who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from this study:

• Admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit

• Has an underlying pre-existing condition that may affect the respiratory system (includes bronchopulmonary dysplasia, reactive airways disease, asthma, restrictivelung diseases, other chronic lung diseases, etc.)

• Has other comorbid conditions upon admission that may affect the respiratory system (includes pneumonia or other bacterial or fungal lung infections, acute exacerbationof reactive airways disease, acute exacerbation of asthma, pulmonary edema, pleuraleffusion, etc.)

• Has an absolute contraindication to nebulized 3% hypertonic saline, for example, ahistory of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction

• Is receiving other respiratory treatments such as bronchodilator treatments (i.e.albuterol or levalbuterol)

• Is receiving other adjuvant therapy such as antibiotics, antivirals,glucocorticoids, corticosteroids, or diuretics