Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of online measurements of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in children with preschool wheeze: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Investigating airway inflammation and pathology in wheezy preschool children is both technically and ethically challenging. Identifying and validating non-invasive tests would be a huge clinical advance. Real-time analysis of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in adults is established, however, the feasibility of this non-invasive method in young children remains undetermined.

Aim

To determine the feasibility and acceptability of obtaining breath samples from preschool children by means of real-time mass spectrometry analysis of exhaled VOCs.

Methods

Breath samples from preschool children were collected and analysed in real time by proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) capturing unique breath profiles. Acetone (mass c

SUBMITTER: Holden K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8438855 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature