Neonates with cystic fibrosis have a reduced nasal liquid pH; a small pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Disrupted HCO3(-) transport and reduced airway surface liquid (ASL) pH in cystic fibrosis (CF) may initiate airway disease. We hypothesized that ASL pH is reduced in neonates with CF.

Methods

In neonates with and without CF, we measured pH of nasal ASL. We also measured nasal pH in older children and adults.

Results

In neonates with CF, nasal ASL (pH5.2 ± 0.3) was more acidic than in non-CF neonates (pH6.4 ± 0.2). In contrast, nasal pH of CF children and adults was similar to values measured in people without CF.

Conclusions

At an age when infection, inflammation and airway wall remodeling are minimal, neonates with CF had an acidic nasal ASL compared to babies without CF. The CF:non-CF pH difference disappeared in older individuals, perhaps because

SUBMITTER: Abou Alaiwa MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4060428 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature