RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Nasal NO measurement in preschool children: Feasibility and validation of a novel tidal breathing technique
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p1126
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Andreas Jung
A1 Christian Geidel
A1 Irmela Heinrichs
A1 Alexander Moeller
A1 Guenter Menz
A1 Roger Lauener
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1126.abstract
AB Background: Screening for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in preschool children by measurement of nasal nitrite oxide (nNO) is difficult due to a lack of standardization and reference values. This study aimed to compare a conventional nNO measurement technique with a tidal breathing technique through a straw.Methods: nNO was assessed by the Niox Flex system in children and adults with chronic rhino-sinusitis (CRS), confirmed PCD and in healthy controls. Measurements consisted of 2 tests with subjects holding their breath (BH), followed by 2 tests with tidal breathing through a straw (TB).Results: 88 subjects were recruited. 71 (81%) or 77 (88%) subjects performed either a valid BH or a valid TB test, respectively. In the preschool age group (n=22), 19 subjects (86%) had a valid TB test with only 10 individuals (45%) performing a valid BH test. A high correlation between TB and BD values were observed (r2=0.954, p<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed that both methods were comparable for PCD and CRS groups, while a bias towards higher nasal NO levels using the TB technique was observed in healthy control subjects. When controls were stratified for age (<6 yrs n=9, 6-15 yrs n=18, 16 ≥yrs n=21), there was a trend towards lower NO levels for younger children in the preschool age group (r2=0.341, p<0.1).Conclusion: Nasal NO measurement by TB with a straw is a feasible and valid method in all age groups. Results correlate well with nNO levels measured by conventional techniques. Almost all preschool children were able to perform a valid TB test. A larger study is on the way to determine reference values in preschool children using the established TB method with a straw.