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Differences in exhaled nitric oxide in atopic children.
1Department of Pediatric Allergy, Elche General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain. dhmdhm@hotmail.com
Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|January 20, 2009
Summary
Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels are elevated in children with atopy and rhinitis, potentially confounding asthma diagnosis. Active rhinitis and asthma significantly increase FeNO, impacting clinical interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
- Allergy and immunology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is used for asthma diagnosis and management.
- The role of FeNO in children with atopy and comorbid conditions like rhinitis is not well-defined.
- Understanding FeNO variations in atopic diseases is crucial for accurate asthma assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare FeNO levels across different atopic conditions in children.
- To investigate the influence of rhinitis and asthma on FeNO measurements.
- To assess the potential confounding effects of atopy and rhinitis on FeNO interpretation in pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 90 children divided into six groups: non-atopic control, asymptomatic atopic, non-active rhinitis, active rhinitis, asthma, and asthma with rhinitis.
- Online FeNO measurements were taken for each participant.
- Statistical analysis compared FeNO levels between groups and correlated them with FEV1 and age.
Main Results:
- All atopic groups exhibited significantly higher FeNO levels than the non-atopic control group (P < 0.001).
- Children with asthma showed the highest FeNO levels, followed by those with active rhinitis.
- FeNO levels were widely dispersed, with no significant correlation to FEV1, but a weak correlation with age (r = 0.28).
Conclusions:
- Atopy, rhinitis, and its exacerbations act as significant confounders when interpreting FeNO levels in asthmatic children.
- FeNO measurements in children with atopic diseases require careful consideration of comorbid conditions.
- Clinical utility of FeNO in pediatric asthma may be impacted by the presence and severity of atopy and rhinitis.
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