Age

0–6

Sex

ALL

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

1. Age under 6 years
2. History of viral upper respiratory infection within previous 7 days
3. Wheezing or crackles detected on chest auscultation
4. Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) score of 4 or greater or oxygen saturation (SaO2) of 94% or less in room air.

1. History of immunodeficiency, chronic cardiopulmonary disease (other than past history of wheezing), Down syndrome, gestational age under 34 weeks.
2. Severe illness at presentation as defined by any of the following
* respiratory rate greater than 80/min
* SaO2 less than 88% in room air
* need for assisted ventilation
3. Use of nebulized HS within previous 12 hours
4. Presence of active varicella infection.

Treating Wheezing in Children With Hypertonic Saline (TWICS)