Nasal nitric oxide in healthy Chinese children aged 6–18 years

OBJECTIVES: To obtain the normal values of fractional concentration of nasal nitric oxide in Chinese children aged 6–18 years, so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis. METHODS: 2,580 out of 3,200 children (1,359 males and 1,221 females), whom were included from 12 centers around China were taken tests, their height and weight were also recorded. Data were used to analyze the normal range and influencing factors of fractional concentration of nasal nitric oxide values. MEASUREMENTS: Data was measured using the Nano Coulomb Breath Analyzer (Sunvou-CA2122, Wuxi, China), according to the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) recommendations. MAIN RESULTS: We calculated the normal range and prediction equation of fractional concentration of nasal nitric oxide values in Chinese children aged 6–18 years. The mean FnNO values of Chinese aged 6–18 yrs was 454.5 ± 176.2 ppb, and 95% of them were in the range of 134.5–844.0 ppb. The prediction rule of FnNO values for Chinese children aged 6–11 yrs was: FnNO = 298.881 + 17.974 × age. And for children aged 12–18 yrs was: FnNO = 579.222–30.332 × (male = 0, female = 1)—5.503 × age. CONCLUSIONS: Sex and age were two significant predictors of FnNO values for Chinese children(aged 12–18 yrs). Hopefully this study can provide some reference value for clinical diagnosis in children.