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Environmental exposures and exhaled nitric oxide in children with asthma

Adam J Spanier1, Richard Hornung, Michelle Lierl

  • 1Cincinnati Children's Environmental Health Center, Division of General and Community Pediatrics, and the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. adam.spanier@cchmc.org

The Journal of Pediatrics
|August 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is higher in children with asthma who are sensitized to indoor allergens like dust mites. This finding suggests FENO can help manage childhood asthma with environmental and medical treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Childhood asthma management requires understanding environmental triggers.
  • Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO) is a biomarker for airway inflammation.
  • The relationship between specific environmental factors and FENO in asthmatic children needs further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between environmental factors and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels in children diagnosed with asthma.
  • To identify specific indoor allergens and environmental exposures linked to elevated FENO concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 children aged 6-12 years with doctor-diagnosed asthma.
  • Data collected included exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements, medication use, and exposure assessments for indoor allergens (dust mites, pet dander) and tobacco smoke.
  • Multivariable analysis was employed to determine associations between environmental factors and FENO.

Main Results:

  • Higher FENO concentrations were associated with increased dust mite exposure and sensitization to indoor allergens.
  • Factors such as child's age, uncarpeted flooring, higher income, and not owning a cat were also linked to elevated FENO.
  • No significant association was found between FENO levels and tobacco smoke exposure markers (serum/hair cotinine) or corticosteroid therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Sensitization to indoor allergens, particularly dust mites, is a significant factor associated with higher FENO in asthmatic children.
  • FENO shows potential as a valuable tool for monitoring and managing childhood asthma.
  • Integrating environmental interventions with pharmacologic treatments may improve asthma control.
Abstract

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