REVIEW

Exhaled breath measures of inflammation: are they useful in neonatal chronic lung disease?

C M Harrison and C C Andersen

Department of Paediatrics, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Australia

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Andersen
Department of Paediatrics, Mercy Hospital for Women, Clarendon St, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia; candersen{at}mercy.com.au

Neonatal chronic lung disease is a common problem for surviving infants of extreme prematurity. Although the precise pathophysiology is still not known, it is clear that inflammation provides a common link that amplifies the injury to the premature lung. Current invasive measures of pulmonary inflammation include markers in blood and airway effluent, with the cellular composition of tracheal fluid being the "gold standard". In this article available exhaled breath measures, particularly nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, volatile hydrocarbons, and exhaled breath condensate, are reviewed with particular reference to sample collection, analysis, and common pitfalls as they apply to the ventilated premature newborn at risk of chronic lung disease. Although they have great potential, all measures require thorough validation before being used clinically.

Abbreviations: CLD, chronic lung disease; eNO, exhaled nitric oxide; eCO, exhaled carbon monoxide; EBC, exhaled breath condensate

Keywords: chronic lung disease; inflammation; preterm; breath hydrocarbons; nitric oxide; carbon monoxide

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Cheah, F-C, Darlow, B A, Winterbourn, C C (2006). Association of hydrogen peroxide in exhaled breath condensates from infants with respiratory distress syndrome with the development of chronic lung disease.. Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 91: F155-F155 [Full Text]  
• Horvath, I., Hunt, J., Barnes, P. J., On behalf of the ATS/ERS Task Force on Exhaled Bre, (2005). Exhaled breath condensate: methodological recommendations and unresolved questions. Eur Respir J 26: 523-548 [Abstract] [Full Text]  

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Hydrogen peroxide in exhaled breath condensates from infants with RDS and the development of CLD

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