Nasal saline irrigation in pediatric rhinosinusitis: A systematic review
Gallant JN
Published in International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Methodology
Systematic review of PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase indexed January 1950 to April 2017 for studies of nasal saline irrigation in paediatric acute or chronic rhinosinusitis; two independent reviewers evaluated each abstract and article, analysing symptom scores and parental surveys.
Key Findings
This systematic review searched PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase from 1950 to April 2017 for studies of nasal saline irrigation in children with acute or chronic rhinosinusitis. Of 272 articles identified, only one study, in acute rhinosinusitis, met all inclusion criteria, and no study of chronic rhinosinusitis qualified. Studies generally showed significant improvement in symptom scores with saline irrigation, but varied outcome measures, control treatments and delivery methods meant no quantitative meta-analysis was possible. The authors conclude saline irrigation may help acute rhinosinusitis in children while high-quality studies are still needed.
Conclusions
Nasal saline irrigation may benefit children, but higher-quality studies are needed.
Limitations
Only a single study met inclusion criteria and none covered chronic rhinosinusitis, so no pooled estimate could be produced; heterogeneous outcome measures and irrigation methods prevent any quantitative conclusion.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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