Abstract
Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) has been identified as a potential indicator of asthmatic airway inflammation. It has become apparent that elevated levels of eNO related to the degree of atopy (e.g., peripheral blood eosinophilia and serum IgE) and airway inflammation (e.g., eosinophils and their markers) in children. Also asthmatic children with elevated levels of eNO suffered from exercise induced asthma. In children with asthma who have not been treated with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), eNO related with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR).
In our study, eNO was associated with BHR in children. We observed also a weak association between eNO and both BHR and airway obstruction in adolescent. Therefore eNO measurement may be used to prescreen BHR in asthmatic children under 12 years old. On the other hand, eNO measurement was reported useful predictor of failed ICS reduction with asthmatic child.
In asthmatic children, measurement of eNO is simple and time-efficient, and noninvasive and safety tool.
