Related Experiment Videos
Serum eosinophilic cationic protein may predict clinical course of wheezing in young children
Insights
Elevated eosinophil inflammation in young children with wheezing predicts persistent symptoms. Measuring serum eosinophilic cationic protein early can identify infants likely to develop childhood asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Wheezing in early childhood is common, but predicting its persistence is challenging.
- Eosinophil-mediated inflammation is implicated in allergic airway diseases like asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of eosinophil inflammation in predicting persistent wheezing in children aged 2-4 years.
- To assess if serum eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) levels at initial evaluation correlate with wheezing persistence at age 5.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 38 children (2-4 years) with recurrent wheezing were assessed for serum ECP, total eosinophil count, total IgE, and skin prick tests.
- Children were followed for two years, categorized into persistent wheezing (n=20) and transient wheezing (n=18) groups.
Main Results:
- Mean serum ECP levels were significantly higher in children with persistent wheezing compared to those with transient wheezing (29.63 vs 14.42 µg/L).
- Children with serum ECP ≥ 20 µg/L at initial assessment had a 2.88-fold increased risk of persistent wheezing at age 5 (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Eosinophil inflammation is evident early in children who will develop persistent wheezing.
- Serum ECP measurement is a valuable tool for identifying young children at risk for developing persistent asthma.
Abstract:
Thirty eight children aged between 2 and 4 years with three or more episodes of wheezing were studied to evaluate the role of eosinophil inflammation and its relation to persistence of wheezing two years later. Serum eosinophilic cationic protein, total eosinophil count, total IgE, skin prick test, and clinical features were evaluated at visit 1. Two years later at a second clinical evaluation the children were separated into two groups: group 1, those with persistent wheezing (n = 20); group 2, those who had been asymptomatic over the past six months (transient wheezing) (n = 18). Mean (SEM) eosinophilic cationic protein at visit 1 was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (29.63 (5.16) v 14.42 (2.77) micrograms/l), and the probability of continuing wheezing at age 5 years was greater in children with values > or = 20 micrograms/l at visit 1 than in those with lower values (relative risk = 2.88, 95% confidence interval 1.42 to 5.87, p < 0.001). Eosinophil inflammation is present from the beginning of the disease in the children who are going to continue with wheezing at age 5 years. The measurement of serum eosinophilic cationic protein may help in evaluating which wheezing infants are going to continue with asthma in the future.