LAUSR

Background and aims High-sensitive C-reactive protein is useful in assessing the inflammatory status in children with asthma and recurrent wheezing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of personal history and nutritional status over the systemic inflammation present in asthma. Methods The study was a prospective one and included children aged 6 months to 18 years previously diagnosed with asthma or recurrent wheezing. We measured hs-CRP as a systemic inflammatory marker and we evaluated the values correlated with different aspects of personal history such as: age, personal history of allergy, smoking exposure and different aspects of nutritional status. Results From the 92 asthmatic children included, 64 children were under 6 years of age, 56.5% were males. The mean value of hs-PCR was 4.88 mg/L, double compared with the control group, hs-CRP mean value was higher (5.02 mg/L vs. 4.56 mg/L), but not statistically significant for the children under 6 years of age (p=0.829). The hs-CRP was higher, with no significant difference if present: personal history of allergy (4.12 mg/L vs. 3.43 mg/L, p=0.676), prematurity (4.77 mg/L vs. 2.82 mg/L, p=0.280), passive smoking exposure (3.61 mg/L vs. 3.32 mg/L, p=0.933). Both asthmatic and nonasthmatic children born from smoking mothers had higher hs-CRP mean value (3.61 mg/L vs. 3.32 mg/L). The nutritional status did not significantly influence the inflammatory status, asthmatics with normal nutritional status had lower hs-CRP values (4.46 mg/L) when compared to those with poor nutritional status (5.67 mg/L) and overweight (4.65 mg/L), p=0.712. Conclusion This study shows that hs-PCR is higher in children with asthma and recurrent wheezing which associate other risk factors for asthma such as personal history of allergy, prematurity, pre and postnatal tobacco exposure. Normal nutritional status has a protective role over systemic inflammation in asthmatic children.