Correlation of fractional exhaled nitric oxide with peripheral blood eosinophils and lung function in 1-3-year-old children with asthma

Abstract:

Objective To examine fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) values in 1-3-year-old children with asthma and analyze the correlation of FeNO with peripheral blood eosinophils (EOS) and lung function in these children. Methods A total of 111 children aged 1-3 years with asthma were enrolled. The children were classified into acute exacerbation (n=62) and remission groups (n=49) according to their symptoms. FeNO values, lung function, and peripheral blood EOS count were measured in these children. Sixty age-matched healthy children were enrolled as the control group. Results FeNO values were significantly higher in the acute exacerbation group (24.4 ppb) than in the remission group (18.0 ppb) and the control group (13.7 ppb) (P<0.05). The FeNO values in the remission group were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). FeNO values were not significantly correlated with peripheral blood EOS count and lung function parameters (PEF, TEF25, TEF50, and TEF75) . Conclusions Measurement of FeNO is useful to evaluate the disease activity in children with asthma aged 1 to 3 years, but the FeNO values are not correlated with peripheral blood EOS count and lung function.