Serum Periostin Level in Children with Asthma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting children worldwide.
• Periostin is a protein implicated in tissue remodeling and fibrosis.
• Investigating novel biomarkers like periostin is crucial for understanding asthma pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To ascertain the average serum periostin level in asthmatic children aged 6-16 years.
• To evaluate the correlation between serum periostin and markers of eosinophilic inflammation.
• To assess the relationship between serum periostin levels and asthma control and severity.

Main Methods:

• Enrollment of children with physician-diagnosed asthma at a tertiary care center.
• Exclusion of children with conditions affecting periostin levels or recent systemic steroid use.
• Quantification of serum periostin and total IgE using ELISA.

Main Results:

• The median serum periostin level was 52.6 ng/mL.
• No significant correlation was observed between periostin levels and age, gender, symptom duration, or family history.
• Periostin levels did not correlate with anthropometric parameters, serum total IgE, eosinophil counts, asthma control, or severity.

Conclusions:

• Serum periostin levels in Indian children with asthma showed no significant correlation with markers of eosinophilic inflammation.
• The findings suggest periostin may not be a reliable biomarker for eosinophilic inflammation in pediatric asthma.