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Breath Collection from Children for Disease Biomarker Discovery
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Breathprints of childhood obesity: changes in volatile organic compounds in obese children compared with lean

N Alkhouri1, K Eng, F Cikach

  • 1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Pediatric Obesity
|March 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Overweight and obese children exhibit distinct volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns in their breath. These VOC changes may offer insights into the biological processes driving childhood obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Metabolomics
  • Pediatric Health
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
  • Understanding the underlying physiological changes is crucial for effective intervention.
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath reflect metabolic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) between overweight/obese children and lean children.
  • To identify specific VOCs associated with childhood obesity.
  • To explore the potential of VOCs as biomarkers for obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Breath samples were collected from children.
  • Selective Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used for VOC analysis.
  • Statistical comparisons were made between obese and lean groups.

Main Results:

  • Sixty overweight/obese children and 55 lean children participated.
  • Over 50 VOCs differed significantly between the groups.
  • Isoprene, 1-decene, 1-octene, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide were higher in obese children.
  • A panel of four VOCs accurately identified overweight/obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Obese children possess a unique exhaled VOC profile.
  • Observed VOC alterations may indicate pathophysiological pathways in obesity development.
  • Breath VOC analysis shows promise for understanding and potentially diagnosing childhood obesity.
Abstract

Keywords:
Biomarkerbreath testinginsulin resistanceoxidative stress

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