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Fractional exhaled nitric oxide in Chinese children with asthma and allergies--a two-city study

Zhuohui Zhao1, Chen Huang, Xin Zhang

  • 1Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China. zhzhao@fudan.edu.cn

Respiratory Medicine
|December 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were higher in Shanghai children compared to Taiyuan. Male gender, asthma, and allergies were linked to increased FeNO in Chinese children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a key non-invasive biomarker for eosinophilic airway inflammation.
  • Understanding FeNO associations with asthma and environmental factors in diverse populations is crucial for public health.
  • Previous research suggests geographical variations in asthma and allergy prevalence, necessitating localized studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between FeNO levels and asthma, asthmatic symptoms, rhinitis, eczema, and environmental factors in Chinese children.
  • To compare FeNO levels between children in Shanghai and Taiyuan, considering potential urban environmental influences.
  • To identify independent determinants of elevated FeNO in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving random sampling of children aged 12-14 years in Shanghai (n=187) and Taiyuan (n=127), with an additional group of wheezing children (n=115).
  • FeNO measurements were conducted using NIOX MINO devices.
  • Data on asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and environmental exposures were collected via questionnaire, with statistical analysis using multiple linear regression on log-transformed FeNO data.

Main Results:

  • Geometric mean FeNO was significantly higher in Shanghai (16.2 ppb) compared to Taiyuan (12.8 ppb).
  • In the total cohort (n=429), Shanghai residency, male gender, parental asthma/allergy, doctor-diagnosed asthma (DDA), and current wheeze were associated with higher FeNO.
  • In non-wheezing children, Shanghai residency, male gender, DDA, current rhinitis, and pollen/furry pet allergy showed positive associations with FeNO. DDA was the sole significant factor in wheezing children.

Conclusions:

  • Male gender, current wheeze, doctor-diagnosed asthma, parental asthma/allergy, current rhinitis, and pollen/furry pet allergy are independent determinants of elevated FeNO in children.
  • The observed lower FeNO levels in Taiyuan align with its reported lower prevalence of asthma and allergies compared to Shanghai.
  • These findings highlight the influence of geographical location, gender, and allergic conditions on FeNO levels in Chinese children.

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