Bronchial asthma is a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and chronic inflammation. It is often accompanied by reversible airflow obstruction. Current laboratory testing methods for the diagnosis of asthma in children mainly include lung ventilation function test. Due to the non-cooperation of children, it is very challenging to conduct lung ventilation function test for preschoolers. Lung function testing is an instantaneous indicator, which is influenced by the children's understanding ability and mental factors. In addition, it could not assess the severity of airway inflammation. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a noninvasive, simple, and objective indicator of airway inflammation and has gradually gained increased use in children in recent years. This review article introduces the source of FeNO, the reference value of FeNO in laboratory testing, and the progress in the application of FeNO in the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of asthma in children of various ages.
支气管哮喘是一种异质性疾病，以气道高反应性、气道慢性炎症为特征，常伴有可逆性气流受限。目前儿童哮喘诊断的实验室检测方法主要以肺通气功能检测为主，由于儿童的不配合性，学龄前儿童肺通气功能检测具有挑战性。肺功能检测是瞬时指标，受患儿理解能力、精神因素等影响。肺功能检测不能评估气道炎症的严重程度。近年来一种无创、简单、客观评价气道炎症指标呼出气一氧化氮（FeNO）逐渐在儿童中应用增多。该综述就FeNO的产生、实验参考值界定及其在不同年龄哮喘儿童的诊断、治疗、预测评估中的作用研究进展进行阐述。