Abstract
Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is assumed to be a useful airway inflammation marker in asthmatic patients. We followed up the changes in FeNO values for 60 days in seven children with asthma who hospitalized due to severe asthma attack. The mean FeNO value at hospitalization was 13.5 ppb (8.4∼19.4). Although the mean FeNO level decreased remarkably to 4.9 ppb (2.5∼8.1) after treatment for acute illness, it was in uptrend after leaving hospital. FeNO levels changed to plateau within about 30 days in five out of seven patients, however, further increase of FeNO levels by 20 ppb or more was observed in two remainders. One patient discontinued the drug use including inhaled corticosteroid, the other did not inhale steroid in proper skill. We suppose that regular monitoring of FeNO in asthmatic children may be useful not only for the estimate of airway inflammation, but also in detecting proper drug administration.
