RESUMO
Asthma is a major global public health problem. Airway inflammation is the primary cause of development and progression of asthma. Activation of inflammatory cells induces a respiratory burst resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species, such as H[2]O[2]. We sought to measure the concentration of H[2]O[2] in exhaled breath condensate in asthmatics children and its correlation to asthmatic triggers, pulmonary function tests, treatment modalities and blood absolute white blood cell counts. Fifty asthmatic and 35 healthy children were studied. Their ages ranged from 9-14 years. Exhaled H[2]O[2] was measured using a colorimetric assay. In asthmatic children, there was a significant elevation of the mean H[2]O[2] concentration compared to values in normal subjects [P<0.0001]. Bad housing showed significant correlation to asthma severity and to number of acute asthmatic attacks. Basal spirometric pulmonary function tests, mean values showed no significant correlation to the level of H[2]O[2] nor to treatment with inhaled steroids. Similarly, neither asthma severity nor the intake of inhaled steroids did show any significant correlation with H[2]O[2] level. Exhaled H[2]O[2] was found significantly elevated in asthmatic children. Measurement of exhaled H[2]O[2] may h4 to assess airway inflammation and oxidative stress in asthmatic patients