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. 2009 May-Jun;16(3):e18-23.
doi: 10.1155/2009/954382.

Effects of the indoor environment on the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide in school-aged children

Thomas A Kovesi  1 , Robert E Dales
Affiliations

Effects of the indoor environment on the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide in school-aged children

Thomas A Kovesi et al. Can Respir J. 2009 May-Jun.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) appears to be a good marker for airway inflammation in children with asthma.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of environmental exposures on exhaled nitric oxide in a community sample of children.

Methods: The relationship among exhaled nitric oxide, underlying disease and home environmental exposures was examined using questionnaire data and measurement of exhaled nitric oxide in a cross-sectional study of 1135 children that included healthy children, and children with allergies and/or asthma who were attending grades 4 through 6 in Windsor, Ontario.

Results: Among healthy children, there was a positive association between FeNO and occupancy (P<0.02). Compared with forced air and hot water radiant heat, electric baseboard heating was associated with a significant increase of FeNO in healthy children (P=0.007) and children with allergies (P=0.043). FeNO was not associated with environmental tobacco smoke exposure or reported surface mold. The presence of pet dog(s), but not cats, was associated with a significantly lower FeNO in healthy children (P<0.001) and in children with reported allergies (P<0.001).

Conclusions: The type of heating system, but not previously reported environmental tobacco smoke or mold exposure appears to affect exhaled nitric oxide in children. Exposure to different types of pets may have disparate effects on airway inflammation.

CONTEXTE :: La concentration de la fraction d’oxyde nitrique expirée (FeNO) semble être un bon marqueur de l’inflammation respiratoire chez les enfants asthmatiques.

OBJECTIF :: Évaluer l’effet de diverses expositions dans le milieu ambiant sur la FeNO chez des enfants d’un échantillon communautaire.

MÉTHODES :: Les auteurs ont analysé le lien entre l’oxyde nitrique expiré, la maladie sous-jacente et diverses expositions dans le milieu ambiant à la maison, à partir des données d’un questionnaire et des taux d’oxyde nitrique expiré mesurés dans le cadre d’une étude transversale regroupant 1 135 enfants de la 4e à la 6e années, incluant des enfants en bonne santé et des enfants souffrant d’allergies et/ou d’asthme, de Windsor, en Ontario.

RÉSULTATS : Chez les enfants en bonne santé, on a noté un lien positif entre la FeNO et le milieu ambiant (p < 0,02). Comparativement à la chaleur des systèmes à air pulsé ou à eau chaude, le chauffage par plinthes électriques a été associé à une augmentation significative de la FeNO chez les enfants en bonne santé (p = 0,007) et les enfants allergiques (p = 0,043). La FeNO n’a pas été associée à une exposition environnementale à la fumée de tabac ou à des moisissures de surface signalées. La présence de chiens, mais non de chats, a été associée à une FeNO significativement moindre chez les enfants en bonne santé (p < 0,001) et chez les enfants souffrant d’allergies avérées (p < 0,001).

CONCLUSION :: Le type de système de chauffage, mais non l’exposition à la fumée de tabac ou à des moisissures signalées dans l’environnement, semble affecter le taux d’oxyde nitrique expiré chez les enfants. L’exposition à différents types d’animaux de compagnie peut exercer des effets divers sur l’inflammation des voies respiratoires.

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