Nasal Rinsing with Hypertonic Solution: An Adjunctive Treatment for Pediatric Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis

Vol. 137, No. 4, 2005

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Original Paper

Nasal Rinsing with Hypertonic Solution: An Adjunctive Treatment for Pediatric Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis
Werner Garavello^a, Federica Di Berardino^b, Marco Romagnoli^a, Giuseppe Sambataro^b, Renato Maria Gaini^a

^aDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Neurosciences and Biomedical Technologies, University Milano-Bicocca, Monza;
^bDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Milano, Milano, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2005;137:310-314 (DOI: 10.1159/000086462)

Key Words

Children
Grass pollen
Hypertonic solution
Nasal rinsing
Rhinoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Background: Recent but limited evidence suggests that nasal lavage with hypertonic saline may be useful as an adjunctive treatment modality in the management of pediatric allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to clarify whether nasal irrigation with hypertonic solution should be routinely recommended to children with seasonal grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis. Methods: Fourty-four children with seasonal grass pollen rhinoconjunctivitis were recruited. Twenty-two patients were random ized to receive three-times daily nasal rinsing with hypertonic saline during the pollen season, which lasted 7 weeks. Twenty-two patients were allocated to receive no nasal irrigation and were used as controls. Twenty patients per group completed the study. A mean daily rhinoconjunctivitis score based on the presence of nasal discharge and obstruction as well as ocular symptoms as reddening and itching were calculated for each week of the pollen season. Patients were allowed to use oral antihistamines when required and the mean number of drugs taken per week was also calculated. Results: The mean weekly rhinoconjunctivitis score in the active group was reduced during the whole pollen period. This difference was statistically significant in week 6 and 7 of therapy. A markedly reduced intake of oral antihistamines was also observed in patients allocated to nasal rinsing, being statistically significant in 5 of the 7 weeks. No adverse effect was reported in the active group. Conclusions: This study supports the use of nasal rinsing with hypertonic saline in the pediatric patient with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. This treatment proved to be tolerable, inexpensive and effective.

Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. Werner Garavello
Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Ospedale Nuovo San Gerardo di Monza, Via Donizetti 106
IT-20052 Monza (Italy)
Tel. +39 039 2333623, Fax +39 039 324017, E-Mail werner.garavello@unimib.it

Article Information

Received: September 21, 2004
Accepted after revision: March 30, 2005
Published online: June 20, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 17

Medline Abstract (ID 15970639)

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