Measurements of Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Newborns

Kim, Sun Kyoung; Rha, Yeong Ho; Bae, Chong Woo

Abstract

PURPOSE: Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a reliable marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma. But few studies have measured endogenous nitric oxide exhaled from the respiratory system of newborns. The aim of this study was to measure the eNO of healthy newborns and attempted to provide reference ranges for healthy newborn infants.
METHODS
The newborns included in this study were born from May through July, 2005 in Kyung Hee medical center. eNO was measured in healthy 41 newborns with online tidal breathing method using a chemiluminescence analyzer (CLD 88 sp, Eco Medics, Duernten, Switzerland). We divided the newborns into two groups, according to gestational age, sex and type of delivery. The comparisons between two groups were performed and a correation between eNO and birth weight was analyzed.
RESULTS
The range for eNO in healthy newborns was 2.0-20.5 ppb. The mean value was 10.0 ppb and the upper limit (mean+2SD) of normal was 19.8 ppb. There was no significant difference in eNO concentration with regard to gestational age or gender. eNO measurements were not correlated with delivery type or birth weight.
CONCLUSION
eNO measurement is safe, non-invasive method in newborns. The reference value of eNO in newborn was achieved and there was no evidence of eNO related to gestation age, gender, delivery type and birth weight. Although eNO analysis is currently a research tool in newborn infants, it can provide new values on the airway.