The use of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) to categorize asthma phenotype and treatment in children - Results from National Hospital of Pediatrics

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma in childhood is a heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes. The use of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), a biomarker of airway inflammation, has been recommended to follow-up these patients. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the role of FENO measurement for categorizing asthma phenotype and treatment in children. Methods: It was a prospective study including all children with uncontrolled asthma, seen in the National Hospital of Pediatrics (Hanoi, Vietnam). FENO, blood eosinophils, skin prick test (SPT), total IgE, asthma control test (ACT), and gene polymorphism (FCER2 and CRHR1) were performed for all study patients. Results: 187 asthmatic children with were included (mean age: 9±2 years; male/female: 1.9/1). The level of FENO was higher in patients with positive SPT and high level of blood eosinophil and total IgE (p 0.05). The level of FENO was significantly reduced after one month and normalized at three month (p Conclusion: FENO is a useful biomarker to categirize asthma phenotypes in children. It is also a useful tool for the target treatment of asthmatic children with ICS.