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Nitric oxide in children with persistent asthma

Nulma S Jentzsch1, Muriel le Bourgeois, Jacques de Blic

  • 1Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.

Jornal De Pediatria
|May 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Exhaled nitric oxide levels are higher in atopic asthma patients, indicating underlying inflammation despite clinical stability. This suggests atopic asthma may require closer monitoring for inflammation control.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Asthma management often relies on clinical symptoms and lung function tests.
  • Atopic individuals exhibit heightened immune responses, potentially influencing asthma severity and treatment response.
  • Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a non-invasive biomarker of airway inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels between atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children on anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • To evaluate the correlation between FeNO measurements and standard lung function tests in pediatric asthma.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 45 children (6-17 years) with persistent asthma on anti-inflammatory therapy.
  • Patients were categorized into atopic (positive skin tests) and non-atopic groups.
  • Concomitant assessment of clinical symptoms, lung function (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%), and FeNO levels.

Main Results:

  • Atopic patients showed significantly higher FeNO levels (p < 0.001) and a higher frequency of eczema (p < 0.005).
  • No significant differences were observed in asthma symptoms, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, or need for systemic corticosteroids between groups.
  • Lung function parameters (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%) did not significantly differ between atopic and non-atopic asthmatic children.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated FeNO in atopic asthmatic children suggests persistent airway inflammation not fully captured by clinical or lung function assessments.
  • Clinical and functional stability in atopic asthma may mask underlying inflammation, potentially increasing relapse risk after therapy cessation.
  • FeNO measurement offers valuable insights into airway inflammation in pediatric asthma, complementing traditional diagnostic tools.
Abstract

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