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Published on: August 7, 2017

Serum total and free carnitine levels in children with asthma

Suna Asilsoy1, Ozlem Bekem, Ozkan Karaman

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Dokuz Eylül University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey.

World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP
|January 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Serum carnitine levels decrease in children with moderate asthma during exacerbations. Levels were lower in acute attacks compared to stable asthma and healthy children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Serum carnitine deficiency is linked to recurrent pulmonary infections.
  • Asthma exacerbations may impact metabolic pathways, including carnitine levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate serum carnitine levels in children with asthma.
  • To compare carnitine levels between asthmatic children (stable vs. acute attack) and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed serum total and free carnitine in 40 children with asthma (stable and acute exacerbation) and healthy controls.
  • Categorized asthma severity using a pulmonary score system.
  • Collected blood samples during and after acute asthma attacks.

Main Results:

  • Children with moderate asthma during acute attacks showed significantly lower serum carnitine levels compared to stable asthmatics and controls.
  • No significant difference in carnitine levels was observed between stable asthmatics and healthy controls.
  • Carnitine levels did not differ between mild and moderate attack severity or between samples taken during and after an acute attack.

Conclusions:

  • Serum carnitine levels decrease in children with moderate asthma during exacerbations and shortly after.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of carnitine supplementation in pediatric asthma.
Abstract

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