Point-of-Care Blood Eosinophils to Predict Preschool Wheeze Attacks.

Background: Post hoc analysis of clinical trials shows blood eosinophil counts (BEC) predict future preschool wheeze attacks; however, prospective usefulness in a clinical setting is unreported. We assessed the feasibility of point-of-care (POC) eosinophil measurements in preschool wheezers and related BEC to symptoms, lung function, and utility in predicting attacks.

Methods: Children aged 1-5 years with recurrent wheeze underwent finger-prick sampling during the outpatient clinic for POC eosinophils, forced oscillation technique (FOT) and/or spirometry, and symptom score (TRACK questionnaire).

Predictive value of childhood airway hyper-responsiveness to indirect stimuli: 10-year longitudinal study.

Background: Airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) is a common feature in asthma. The use of AHR in predicting active asthma or the persistence of AHR in childhood is poorly understood. By analyzing longitudinal connections including different measures of AHR, lung function, and inflammation markers, we sought to identify the best available method for predicting persistence of AHR and identification of later active asthma.

Abnormal lung function at preschool age asthma in adolescence?

Background: Asthma often begins early in childhood. However, the risk for persistence is challenging to evaluate.

Objective: This longitudinal study relates lung function assessed with impulse oscillometry (IOS) in preschool children to asthma in adolescence.