Recently, several studies have documented high Exhaled Breath Temperature (ЕBT) in children and adults with asthma. EBT has been suggested as a promising non-invasive marker of airway inflammation. The aim of this study is to compare the EBT of asthmatic children versus healthy controls and to evaluate correlations with spirometry, blood eosinophils count and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). 102 patients were enrolled (62 Male 40 Female, aged 6-16 yrs) and 30 age matched controls. History, physical examination, EBT values (X-halo, Delmedica, Singapour), were evaluated followed by FeNO (NIOX MINO, Aerocrine, Sweden), pulmonary function tests and blood sample for eosinophils count. The mean EBT was greater in asthmatics compared to controls (32.29°C vs 30.92°C, p=0.005). In the asthmatic group there were positive correlation between EBT and FENO (r=0.456; p<0.001) as well between EBT and blood eosinophils count (r=0.407; p<0.001) and negative with FEV1%pred (r=(-)0.36, p<0.001). Conclusions: There is a significant difference in mean EBT values between asthmatic and healthy children. We found positive correlation between EBT, FeNO and blood eosinophils count, which suggest that EBT could also serve as marker for airway inflammation in children with asthma.
 

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