0144

STUDY OF CELLULAR ANALYSIS IN INDUCED SPUTUM FROM INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

CHEN Xiaoyou, CHEN Lianxiang, WU Xiujing

Children’s Hospital, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, CHINA

Objective: We adapted the method of cellular analysis of induced sputum to evaluate the diagnostic action on asthma in infants and young children, and investigate the influence of atopy and airway infections on the results of cellular analysis in induced sputum.

Methods: Seventy subjects with asthma were selected from inpatients, they were divided into two groups: 30 of infants and young children (0-36 months) and 40 of elder children (>3 years). 30 subjects (0-36 months) with low respiratory tract infection served as contrasts. Sodium chloride aerosols 5% were inhaled by mouth for 10-20 minutes. Sputum was collected by suction. Differential cell counts were performed by counting 200 cells on slides stained with HE and White-Giemsa. Blood cell counts, CRP and some infectious agents were examined when the patients hospitalized. Blood IgE and mite skin prick test were checked also.

Results: The medium percentage of eosinophils in sputum sample was higher in >3 years asthmatic children as compare to ≤36 months asthmatics, which in later was higher compared to the same aged contrasts. There were significant differences between every two groups (p<0.005). There were 19/30 cases of ≤36 months asthmatics and 8/40 cases of >3 years asthmatics with their eosinophils ≤2%. And there was a weak correlation between eosinophils% in induced sputum and ages (r=0.43, p<0.01). IgE level in >3 years asthmatics was higher compared to ≤36 months asthmatics (p<0.005. Which in later was higher compared to the same aged contrasts (p0.005). The extent of positive reaction to mite prick test was not similar between different aged asthmatic children (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The number of eosinophil in induced sputum is somewhat increased in ≤36 months asthmatic children as compared to contrasts, but somewhat lower as compared to >3 years asthmatics. The under-developed atopy and more often airway infection in infants and young children may be the causes accounted for less eosinophils in induced sputum. Following the marks may be help to predict the prognosis of asthma.