Duration of common cold symptoms in children was shortened by 2 days with hypertonic saline nasal drops, which was also associated with reduced cold transmission within households, according to a randomized controlled trial presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress.

he ELVIS-Kids trial, led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, enrolled 407 children aged 6 years and younger. Children were randomized to receive either hypertonic saline nasal drops or usual care upon developing cold symptoms.

Of the 301 children who developed a cold, 150 received hypertonic saline nasal drops, while 151 received usual care. Results showed that children in the saline group experienced cold symptoms for a median of 6 days, compared to 8 days in the usual care group. Additionally, fewer household members contracted a cold in the saline group (46%) compared to the usual care group (61%). Children in the saline group also required fewer medications during their illness.

The hypertonic saline solution, containing approximately 2.6% sodium chloride, is thought to enhance the body’s antiviral defenses by increasing chloride availability to nasal epithelial cells, which produce hypochlorous acid to suppress viral replication.

Caregivers were taught to prepare and administer the saline nasal drops at home, and 81% reported that the intervention helped their children recover more quickly. No serious adverse events were reported, with only mild side effects such as sneezing and runny nose.

Lead researcher Professor Steve Cunningham commented, "Reducing the duration of colds in children means that fewer people in their house also get a cold, allowing households to return to normal activities faster." Further research will explore the impact of saline nasal drops on wheezing, with preliminary data showing fewer wheezing episodes (5% vs 19%).

The study received no reported conflicts of interest.