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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects
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A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects

Published on: May 4, 2021

Exhaled nitric oxide levels in infants with chronic lung disease

Jaana A Leipälä1, Olivia Williams, Sanya Sreekumar

  • 1Department of Child Health, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, King's College Hospital, SE5 9PJ, London, UK.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|June 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels are higher in infants with chronic lung disease (CLD). This finding suggests facemask NO measurement may help monitor CLD in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Chronic lung disease (CLD) is an inflammatory condition.
  • Elevated exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is observed in other inflammatory disorders.
  • Premature infants are at higher risk for CLD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if prematurely born infants with CLD have elevated exhaled NO levels.
  • To compare exhaled NO levels in infants with CLD, without CLD, and healthy term-born infants.
  • To assess the utility of exhaled NO as a potential biomarker for CLD.

Main Methods:

  • Studied three groups of infants: CLD (n=10), non-CLD (n=10), and term-born (n=10).
  • Measured nasal and facemask exhaled NO levels during spontaneous breathing at 36-45 weeks post-conception.
  • Utilized a facemask and sampling catheter for NO measurement.

Main Results:

  • Nasal NO levels were higher than facemask NO levels across all groups.
  • Infants with CLD exhibited significantly higher peak nasal and facemask NO levels compared to non-CLD and term infants.
  • Facemask NO levels were independently associated with CLD, irrespective of age.

Conclusions:

  • Exhaled nitric oxide levels are elevated in infants with CLD.
  • Facemask measurement of exhaled NO may serve as a useful tool for monitoring infants with CLD.
Abstract

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