title: Plasma adrenomedullin levels in children with asthma: any relation with atopic dermatitis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the airway, and adrenomedullin (ADM) may have some effects against bronchoconstriction. However, the role(s) of ADM in asthmatic children have not been evaluated yet. The aims of this study were to determine if there are any changes in plasma ADM levels during acute asthma attack, and to search for any association between allergen sensitivity and ADM level in asthmatic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven children with acute asthma attack, ranging in age from 5 to 15 years were investigated and compared with 20 controls. Plasma ADM levels (ng/mL) were measured by ELISA method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found in ADM levels between the controls and patients in either the acute attack or remission period. Plasma ADM levels were significantly higher in the acute attack (p=0.043) compared to the remission period in patients who were considered as having a "severe attack" according to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) classification. There were statistically significant correlations between the patients' AlaTOP and Food Panel 7 levels and plasma ADM levels in the acute attack period (p=0.010, p=0.001, respectively). The ADM levels in patients with a history of atopic dermatitis were significantly higher in the acute attack period compared to those without a history of atopic dermatitis (p=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We speculate that ADM may have a role in children with atopic dermatitis, and may also have a role in the immuno-inflammatory process of asthma.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Pediatric Allergy, Turkey. ercankosmanoglu@yahoo.com
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kucukosmanoglu
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Keskin
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Karcin
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cekmen
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Balat
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000097:blood*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D053607:Adrenomedullin