Objective:

To determine the effect of administration of nasal ionized saline solution on nasal maximum inspiratory flow (NMIF), maximum expiratory flow (MEF) and frequency of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in asthmatic children.

Material and methods:

Quasi-experimental study, evaluating the evolution, before and after, of patients with poorly controlled asthma and without rhinitis. During four months of treatment with nasal ionized saline, the NMIF, MEF and the frequency of URTI were evaluated. Statistical analysis: χ2 with Yates correction, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon and Friedman.

Results:

Eighty asthmatic children aged 8.7 ± 2.1 years were included. NMIF of 58.4 ± 19.3 Lpm at baseline and 104.7 ± 29.2 at four months (p <0.05), baseline MEF was 192.7 ± 58.7 and 222.3 ± 67.0 Lpm at the end of follow-up (p <0.05). URTI frequency decreased progressively, 88.8% in the first month to any case in the fourth month (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

Ionized nasal saline in asthmatics without a rhinitis appears to improve FIMN, FEM, and ITRS frequency, however, randomized clinical trials are required to demonstrate its effectiveness.