International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
3% saline versus mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema in children: a randomized controlled trial
Background: Cerebral edema with raised intracranial pressure is a pediatric neurological emergency associated with coma, herniation and death. Mannitol and hypertonic saline are commonly used osmotic agents, but comparative pediatric data remain limited and heterogeneous. To compare the efficacy and safety of 3% hypertonic saline with 20% mannitol in children aged 3 months to 12 years with cerebral edema. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2023 to 2025 among 70 children with clinical or ra …