New Study Shows Results For Severe Asthma in Children

In a recent research trial, scientists found that the eosinophil concentrations in children with asthma are not a sound or reliable indicator as to the severity of the condition. While previously it has been thought that they could show the condition for what it really is, researchers now claim that this is not the case. In a disappointing study, scientists have confirmed that they were developing a blood test that would act as a substitute for the more invasive techniques to measure the inflammation in the airways – previously this has shown to be a promising endeavour in adults with the disease.

The study involved 88 children in all, aged between 6 and 17 years of age who all had severe, therapy-resistant asthma. The patients involved underwent blood tests, as well as having their nitric oxide exhalents measured, sputum induction and endobronchial biopsies. Of the children, 86 percent showed normal signs of eosinophil counts and 84 percent had brochoalveolar lavage.

The researchers have explained that the management of severe asthma is at its best when it is guided by inflammatory phenotypes in adults, but there is currently no evidence to support that this is the case in children. Treating asthma in children is done on the basis of the inflammation in the airways, where unnecessary treatment could be avoided with the use of potent anti-inflammatory treatments. The current results of the study suggest that there will remain a need for invasive methods of treatment and study in order to determine the inflammatory phenotypes. The blood counts are not a reliable enough source to show this. Asthma is a condition which affects the airways and millions of people suffer with it daily. If you are concerned about the condition, or think your treatment could be improved, speak to your GP who can advise you.