Nebulized N-Acetyl Cysteine for Bronchiolitis in Inpatient Hospital Use: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study focuses on children under 2 years old who are in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to acute bronchiolitis, a common lung infection that causes inflammation in the small airways. The main goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a medication called N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in improving symptoms and reducing hospital stay. This research is important as it could lead to better treatment options for young children with acute bronchiolitis, potentially improving their recovery and reducing the duration of their hospital stay. During the study, participants are randomly assigned to either the NAC group or the non-NAC (Control) group. Only the NAC group receives nebulized NAC solution every 12 hours, administered through a closed respiratory circuit, while both groups receive standard respiratory support. The effects of the treatment are measured using a 4-item scoring system completed by clinicians to assess respiratory symptoms, with each item scored from 0-3 based on symptom severity. The study also measures the length of time patients remain hospitalized and the duration they spend on non-invasive ventilation. To maintain the blindness of the study, a commercial solution with a similar odor to NAC is used for all patients.