Text written in Basque and translated automatically by Elia without any subsequent editing. SEE ORIGINAL

[Diagnosis of childhood asthma]

Paula Corcuera (UPV/EHU), a researcher at the San Sebastian Hospital, has developed a technique to improve the diagnosis of asthma in children.

PAULA CORCUERA; San Sebastian Hospital: we began research in 2005 to diagnose and monitor childhood asthma by measuring the amount of nitric oxide secreted during breathing.

The new diagnostic technique is based on the measurement of nitric oxide.

PAULA CORCUERA; San Sebastian Hospital: when it was discovered in the 80's, it was found to be complementary to other tests for asthma control and diagnosis. By putting a number on the inflammation of the airway, it helps us decide on the right treatment. We use inhaled corticosteroids to keep asthma under control, which helps us decide whether to increase the dose, decrease it, etc., in order to guide the treatment.

The test to make the diagnosis does not have any difficulty, it is just blowing.

PAULA CORCUERA; San Sebastian Hospital: The test is standard, 50 milliliters per second. We find out how much nitric oxide the child takes during this breathing. Parts per billion are measured and above a certain value indicates that the child has some type of inflammation in the airways caused by some type of allergy. Then we could know, for example, that the corticosteroids that are inhaled will do him good.

Among respiratory diseases, asthma is the most common, it is said to occur in about 10% of children.

PAULA CORCUERA; San Sebastian Hospital: It is a very common disease, which we see here often. The challenge is therefore to make an early diagnosis and to take control measures as quickly as possible. That’s what they will have a better quality of life, with fewer limitations, and we will have the tool to decide how to implement treatments and how to proceed with them. I think it's useful for a complex disease like this because it can't be managed well considering only symptoms and spirometries.