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[Measurement of serum eosinophil cationic protein levels in wheezing infants]
1Department of Allergy & Immunology, Hyogo Children's Hospital.
Insights
Wheezing in infants can be difficult to predict if it will develop into asthma. Measuring serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in infants can identify those at high risk for developing infantile asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Allergy and Immunology
Context:
- Infantile wheezing is a common condition with uncertain long-term prognosis.
- Distinguishing between transient wheezing and early-stage asthma in infants is clinically challenging.
Purpose:
- To investigate the presence of eosinophilic inflammation in wheezing infants.
- To evaluate serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) as a predictive biomarker for the development of asthma in infants.
Summary:
- Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured in 33 infants with undiagnosed wheezing and 11 controls.
- Higher serum ECP levels were observed in infants who developed asthma within three months.
- All infants (17) with serum ECP levels exceeding 20 ng/ml were diagnosed with asthma within three months.
Impact:
- Serum ECP measurement shows promise as a tool for early identification of infants at high risk for asthma.
- This finding can aid in timely intervention and management strategies for infantile asthma.
Abstract:
Many infants have episode of wheezing. Some infants will outgrow the condition in early childhood, but some of them will become asthmatic. However, it is difficult to predict whether the wheezing infant is subsequently likely to experience bronchial asthma. To determine whether eosinophil inflammation is present in wheezing infants and can predict the development of asthma, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured in 33 infants who could not be diagnosed typical asthma, and 11 controls. Serum ECP levels were higher in the infants who had asthma within 3 months follow-up period. In addition, all 17 infants with serum ECP levels above 20 ng/ml developed asthma within 3 months. The data suggested that serum ECP measurements appear to be useful for identifying infants with wheezing at high risk for infantile asthma.
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