„SCREENING" CHILDREN FOR SCREEN TIME - HOW CONCERNED SHOULD WE BE?

Fraction of the exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is used as a biomarker for eosinophilic inflammation, mostly on the respiratory tract. This tool may be used as a predictor of exercise-induced bronchospasm in children practicing various sports. The aim of our research was to study the pediatric athletes and to correlate the bronchial inflammation with the type of sport and the clinical features of the subjects. Method. We conducted a prospective study of children aged over 6, practicing outdoor and indoor sports, admitted to our pediatric department. After anamnesis and clinical examination, the patients performed FeNO measurements using the NioxVero analyzer (Aerocrine, Sweden). Results. Our study included 178 children (102 boys) practicing outdoor sports (football, track and field) and indoor sports (basketball, volleyball, handball, swimming). The FeNO levels were significantly higher in children practicing indoor vs. outdoor sports (p = 0.0001, t test). The prevalence of atopy was similar (p = 0.55, chi square) and the FeNO values in atopic children were slightly elevated but not statistically significant compared to the main sport groups. Data regarding gender, age and social status did not bring significant statistical differences. Conclusions. In our study FeNO was useful in differentiating the indoor vs the outdoor sports. The data regarding the atopic children or the demographic features were not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]