Hypertonic Saline as Therapy for Pediatric Concussion

Hypertonic Saline as Therapy for Pediatric Concussion: A Randomized Controlled Trial in the Emergency Department

This single center, blinded, randomized controlled trial evaluated the use of hypertonic saline versus normal saline as therapy for the symptoms of pediatric concussion post head injury.

The study hypothesis was that hypertonic saline would improve symptoms of pediatric concussion following head injury as measured on the self-reported Wong Baker Faces Pain Scale as compared to normal saline.

The null hypothesis was that there would be no difference in change of reported pain in either group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 4-17 years old
• consent obtained
• pain as a symptom of concussion
• head CT negative for intracranial pathology

Exclusion Criteria:

• younger than 4 years or older than 17 years
• multi trauma
• cardiac, neuro, renal history of disease
• seizure
• narcotic, drug use
• pregnancy
• head CT with traumatic intracranial pathology
• no consent