Sputum induction in children with difficult asthma: safety, feasibility, and inflammatory cell pattern.

摘要: Difficult childhood asthma is defined by persistent symptoms despite maximal conventional therapy. We aimed to establish a safe method of sputum induction for these children and study cytology the relationship exhaled nitric oxide (eNO). Sputum was performed in 38/40 (aged 6-16 years) with difficult asthma, using 3.5% saline four 5-min periods after bronchodilator pretreatment. Two were excluded from because postbronchodilator forced expired volume 1 sec (FEV(1)) 20% FEV(1), readily reversed salbutamol. successful 28/38 children, higher success rate >/= 12 years than younger (87% vs. 50%, P = 0.02). Only 9/28 had abnormal cytology; these, 6 predominant eosinophilia (>2.5% eosinophils, 54% neutrophils). Of 23 elevated eNO values, only eosinophilia. In conclusion, can be used assess airway inflammation but present minority. Raised poorly predictive children.