Analysis of Single-breath Profiles of Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Children with Allergy and Asthma: Guideline-derived Plateau Concentrations Compared to Results of Automatic Evaluation by Two Analyzers

Abstract

This study performed measurements of FENOusing a chemiluminescence analyzer Ecomedics CLD88sp and an electrochemical monitor NIOX MINO in 82 children and adolescents (44 males) from 4.9 to 18.7 years of age with corticosteroid-treated allergic rhinitis (N=58) and/or asthma (N=59).We conclude that in children less than 12 years of age, the guideline based analysis of FENO-time profiles from Ecomedics at variable times obtains FENO concentrations that are higher and more reproducible than those from the fixed interval of 2 to 4 seconds and higher than NIOX MINO concentrations obtained during a short exhalation (6 seconds). The Ecomedics FENO concentrations of children more than 12 years of age calculated in the interval of 7 to 10 seconds represent plateau values and agree well with NIOX MINO results obtained during a standard 10-second exhalation.