Differences in Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Non- and Mono- or Polysensitised Allergic Children with Asthma Bronchiale

Rationale: Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is reported to be increased in the airways of patients with asthma bron- chiale. Objectives: To investigate eNO concentration and lung function in non-, mono- and polysensitised children with mild asthma bronchiale before and after exercise challenge. Findings: Investigation of a total of 59 children (49 mono- or polysensitised, 10 nonsensitised). No significant differences regarding age, gender, height and asthma medication. Significant difference between the groups regarding weight and subsequently BMI. ENO levels were only elevated in allergic asthmatic children (mean 37.0 ppb) compared to the non al- lergic children (mean 10.0 ppb, p < 0.0001). A correlation between eNO concentrations and the residual volume was es- tablished. ENO levels after exercise challenge were only slightly lower than before exercise. Conclusion: Elevated levels of eNO were only found in the group of asthmatic children with an allergic background. Therefore eNO can be used as a marker to differentiate between allergic and non allergic asthma. Asthmatic severity or therapy did not have a significant influence on the eNO levels. In patients with allergic asthma bronchiale eNO may be used as a helpful indicator in the adapting anti-inflammatory treatment. Although statistically significant in allergic chil- dren, the influence of exercise challenge on eNO levels is minimal.