nebulization
Pronunciation: neb-yoo-lih-ZAY-shun
The process of converting liquid medication into a fine aerosol mist for inhalation delivery to the pediatric airway.
Full Definition
Nebulization is the aerosolization of a liquid drug—most commonly a bronchodilator, corticosteroid, or mucolytic—using a jet, ultrasonic, or mesh nebulizer device so that the resulting fine particles (typically 1–5 microns) can penetrate the lower respiratory tract. In pediatric practice it is preferred over metered-dose inhalers for infants and young children who cannot coordinate actuation with inhalation. Editors must distinguish 'nebulization' (the process) from 'nebulized' (the adjective form used to describe the resulting formulation, e.g., 'nebulized albuterol'). The British spelling 'nebulisation' appears in UK-published clinical guidelines and should be normalised according to the house style of the publication.
Usage
Usage note: US spelling is 'nebulization'; UK spelling is 'nebulisation.' Normalize to house style. The device is a 'nebulizer,' not a 'nebuliser,' in US publications.
In Context
- "The protocol specified nebulization with hypertonic saline twice daily for children with cystic fibrosis-related airway clearance difficulties." — Clinical protocol editing
- "The editor corrected 'nebulisation' to 'nebulization' throughout the manuscript to conform to the journal's American English style guide." — Journal manuscript copy-editing