NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In children with cystic fibrosis or asthma, measurement of pH in exhaled breath condensate may be useful for evaluating airway inflammation.
At the Imperial College in London, Dr. Giovanna E. Carpagnano and colleagues measured breath condensate pH in 20 children with cystic fibrosis, 20 children with asthma, and 15 age-matched healthy controls.
In the June issue of Chest, the researchers report that the mean pH was 7.23 in the children with cystic fibrosis, 7.42 in the children with asthma, and 7.85 in the healthy children.
In addition, the investigators observed relationships among breath condensate pH, severity of asthma, and the presence of an infective exacerbation of cystic fibrosis.
Based on their results, the researchers speculate that “the measurement of exhaled breath condensate pH may be a useful marker of airway inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis and asthma.”
The authors write that additional studies in larger and more varied populations are needed to confirm the clinical usefulness of their findings.
Still, they point out, “the fact that this marker can be measured in a simple, noninvasive, inexpensive, and reproducible manner is advantageous.”
Source: Chest 2004;125:2005-2010. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Breath Tests: Diagnosis: Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and EquipmentCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
