Saline (medicine) facts for kids
In medicine, saline refers to any solution of salt in water; that is, salt water. Such solutions are sterile when they are to be placed into the body by infusion or injection. If the solution has more salt in it than is found in the human body, it is called hypertonic saline. The normal salt level is 0.9% and any salt amount more than 0.9% is called hypertonic.
Applied to the affected area it is used to clean wounds, help remove contact lenses, and help with dry eyes. By injection into a vein it is used to treat dehydration such as from gastroenteritis and diabetic ketoacidosis. It is also used to dilute other medications to be given by injection.
Images for kids
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Saline solution for irrigation.
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Vial of 23.4% sodium chloride
See also
In Spanish: Suero fisiológico para niños
