Key Takeaway
Saline nasal irrigation reduces nasal congestion severity and duration of illness in children with acute upper respiratory infections.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy of saline nasal irrigation for treating acute upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) in infants and children. The authors searched multiple databases for RCTs comparing saline nasal irrigation to standard care or no treatment.
The pooled results showed that saline nasal irrigation significantly reduced nasal congestion severity and shortened the overall duration of illness. Children who received nasal irrigation also had reduced use of decongestant medications and fewer days absent from school or daycare.
The review supports saline nasal irrigation as a safe, inexpensive, and effective adjunctive treatment for pediatric URIs. The intervention was well-tolerated across age groups, with minimal adverse effects reported.