ABSTRACT
This study was carried on 38 children [24 boys and 14 girls] between 2 and 4 years of age suffering from wheezy chest. In addition, 15 age matched apparently normal children were included in the study serving as normal control group. Eosinophilic cationic protein [ECP], sICAM-1 and E-selectin were measured during both acute exacerbation and stable condition. The results showed that ECP concentration was significantly higher in children with acute wheezy exacerbation than either in stable condition or in control group. Total blood eosinophilic count showed nonsignificant increase in children with acute wheezy exacerbation than either children in stable condition or in control group. Serum sICAM-1 was significantly higher during acute exacerbation of asthmatic children than those in stable condition or control group. The results of E-selectin showed a significant increase during acute exacerbation of asthmatic children than either in stable condition or in control group. E-selectin level in children in stable condition also showed significant difference when compared to control group. These results suggested that these parameters play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthmatic children below 5 years of age