Clinical correlates and determinants of airway inflammation in pediatric asthma.

BACKGROUND: Airway inflammation is a key component in the pathophysiology of asthma. However, neither its role in the clinical features of asthma nor the factors affecting the degree of inflammation have been fully defined. METHODS: We determined the fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration (FE(NO)) using a portable device (NIOX-MINO, Aerocrine, Solna, Sweden) in a consecutive sample of 149 asthmatic children aged 6 to 14 years. In order to establish an association with FE(NO), we analyzed symptoms, spirometric parameters before and after a bronchodilator test, and the impact of asthma on quality of life during the previous 4 weeks. We also investigated how clinical variables that regulate inflammation affected FE(NO). RESULTS: In patients not treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICs), FE(NO) was higher when specific symptoms (wheeze and cough) had been present during the previous 4 weeks; however, we were unable to establish a relationship with symptom frequency, bronchodilator use, asthma crises, hospital admissions, limitation of daily activities, or spirometry results. In patients treated with ICs, FE(NO) was not related to the clinical expression of asthma, except for a reduced ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity, both before and after bronchodilation. The main determinant of FE level in untreated patients was sensitization to house dust mite. In patients treated with ICs, FE(NO) was only associated with adherence to therapy. CONCLUSION: Airway inflammation, as determined by FE(NO), is only weakly associated with the clinical expression of asthma and spirometry results. Adherence to treatment is the main determinant of the degree of inflammation in patients taking ICs.

[From medical school to paediatric residency, stopping of at the MIR exam: something must change? A survey of fourth year pediatric residents]. / De las facultades de Medicina a la residencia de Pediatría, pasando por el examen de médico interno residente: ¿algo debe cambiar? Resultados de una encuesta en residentes de Pediatría de cuarto año.

INTRODUCTION: The Spanish medical education system has made a great contribution to the development of the National Health Service, but a need for an overall assessment process still remains. AIM: Evaluate several issues of under- and postgraduate (MIR) medical education of Spanish residents in Paediatrics. METHOD: An anonymous questionnaire with coded answers administered to 61 paediatric residents in the fourth year of specialty. RESULTS: Two thirds of residents think that the Medicine curriculum must change, with less theoretical education. Similarly a proportion of residents believes that the MIR Exam should introduce items on skills and abilities in addition to the current items. Resident tutors are considered positively in 90% of cases, but 35% of them failed in their assessment. Concepts related to evidence-based medicine are being introduced into undergraduate medical education (48% of answers) and postgraduate (69%), but we still found several areas for improvement: bibliographic information searching and critical appraisal of scientific documents. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of medical education (undergraduate and postgraduate) shows several issues that must change, mainly related to two current paradigms: the European Higher Education Area (EEHA) and Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM).

[Feasibility of FeNO measurement in asthmatic children in the primary care setting. CANON Study]. / Factibilidad de la medición en atención primaria de la fracción exhalada de óxido nítrico en niños con asma. Estudio CANON.

AIM: Asses the feasibility of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement in asthmatic children using a hand-held device in the primary care setting. METHODS: Multicentre study performed in the paediatric clinics in seven Spanish primary health care centres. Each centre consecutively included 6-14 year-old children with doctor-diagnosed asthma. Children were asked to obtain two valid measurements of FeNO with the hand-held device NIOX MINO (Aerocrine AB, Solna, Sweden). Feasibility analysis included: (a) percentage of children able to perform the manoeuvre, (b) time required to obtain a successful determination, (c) number of attempts needed, and (d) acceptability of the technical procedure by clinical personnel involved in their guidance. RESULTS: The Study enrolled 151 children. A total of 149 (98.7%) were able to perform the FeNO manoeuvre. The majority (55%) of children had previous experience of using the hand-held device. The Overall median (and Interquartile Range, IQR) of attempts needed to reach a first valid measurement was 2 (1-3) and median (IQR) of time taken was 4 min (3-5). Nurses considered the overall procedure was very easy or easy in 87.8% (teaching) and 86.5% (performing) of children. Children with previous experience performed the manoeuvre in less attempts, less time and more easily than children without experience. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of FeNO using NIOX MINO device is technically feasible and acceptable for children and staff in the clinical context of asthma management in primary health care. Previous experience had a positive, learning effect, in teaching and performing the FeNO manoeuvre.

Group education on asthma for children and caregivers: a randomized, controlled trial addressing effects on morbidity and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the efficacy in terms of morbidity and quality of life of a group education program on asthma aimed at children and caregivers. METHODS: An open, randomized, controlled trial was undertaken in 13 primary health care centers in Spain, Cuba, and Uruguay and involved 245 children with active asthma aged 9 to 13 years and their caregivers. The intervention consisted of 3 educational sessions lasting 45 to 60 minutes each and was performed with 3 intervention groups: children alone, caregivers alone, and both children and caregivers. The outcome measures were difference between intervention and control groups in the rate of asthma attacks and hospital admission, as well as the quality of life of children and caregivers in the 6 months following the intervention. RESULTS: The rate of asthma attacks per patient-year decreased when the intervention was given only to children (mean difference, -1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.87 to -0.34) or to both children and caregivers (-1.60; 95% CI, -2.88 to -0.31). Hospital admissions per patient-year decreased in the intervention groups children alone (-0.28; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.05) and both children and caregivers (-0.25; 95% CI, -0.49 to -0.02). Education provided to caregivers alone was not associated with any changes in morbidity. No differences were observed in terms of quality of life between controls and any of the intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS: Group education on asthma reduces morbidity but does not improve quality of life. The benefits are apparent when education is aimed at children but no additional benefit is obtained if the intervention is also aimed at their caregivers. Finally, group education for adult caregivers alone is not effective.

[Interactions using the Internet among parents and pediatric societies in Spain and the Latin American Pediatric Association]. / Interacción con los padres a través de internet de las sociedades pediátricas españolas y las integradas en la ALAPE.

BACKGROUND: The Internet has revolutionized access to biomedical information among health professionals and the general public. There is demand for pediatric societies to develop quality contents directed at both pediatricians and parents. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate interaction through the Internet among parents and the pediatric societies in Spain and member organizations of the Latin American Pediatric Association. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the official Spanish pediatric societies (n = 45) and the national organizations belonging to the Latin American Pediatric Association (25) were examined. Societies with their own websites (26 in Spain and 13 in Latin America) were identified. For each website, the following data were collected: size, access to contents, adherence to an ethical code, terms of use, division of contents for pediatricians and those for parents, and means of contact for parents. RESULTS: All the websites provided free access to biomedical information. Only 35 % of websites from Spain and 15.4 % of those from the Latin American Pediatric Association subscribed to an ethical code while 54 % and 84.6 % respectively had no terms of use section. Overall, 46 % had a specific area for parents. The most common means of contact between parents and websites was through electronic mail and 5 % of the sites explicitly accepted online consultations. Only six out of 39 websites fulfilled all the criteria evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of pediatric societies on the Internet is acceptable, without noteworthy differences between Spanish organizations and member organizations of the Latin American Pediatric Association. In general, interaction with parents is of poor quality.

[Cost of childhood asthma in Spain: a cost evaluation model based on the prevalence]. / Coste del asma en pediatría en España: un modelo de evaluación de costes basado en la prevalencia.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood, reduces the quality of life of children and their families, and produces high social and health care costs. In Spain, the cost of managing paediatric asthma is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost of managing paediatric asthma in Spain and to examine its variability depending on asthma severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cost of asthma in children under 16 years in 2008 was estimated by building a costs assessment model including the factors that influence the cost of asthma in children: prevalence, distribution of disease severity, age, frequency of resources use depending on severity, and the cost of each resource. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the underlying uncertainty depending on the variability of the estimators of resource use, the unit cost of each resource, and the prevalence. RESULTS: According to the model, the total cost of paediatric asthma in Spain is around 532 million euros, with a range of 392 to 693 million euros. Direct costs (health care costs) represent 60% of the total costs, and indirect costs (carer time), 40%. The mean annual cost per child with asthma is 1,149 euros, ranging from 403 euros for the mildest category of the disease to 5,380 euros for the most severe. CONCLUSIONS: The cost of paediatric asthma in Spain is very high and depends on disease severity. Although the most important costs are for the health care system, indirect costs are not negligible.

[Allergic sensitization profile in 0-5 year old children with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis]. / Perfil de sensibilización alérgica en niños de 0 a 5 años con sibilancias o dermatitis atópica.

BACKGROUND: Although allergic diseases are frequent in childhood, few studies have characterised the IgE sensitization profile among young children with allergic-like symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and the type of allergic sensitization, as well as the demographic and environmental factors related to both characteristics, among 0-5 year old children presenting with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Collaborative cross-over study developed in the paediatric setting of 20 Spanish Primary Health Care Centres. An allergology evaluation including blood determination of specific IgE antibodies to common inhalant and food allergens was performed on 468 children who presented with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis. RESULTS: Allergic sensitization was detected in 32.4% of the children with wheezing (95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 26.3-38.6%), in 54.8% of the children who had atopic dermatitis (95%CI, 42.1-67.6%) and in 39.2% of the children with both processes (95%CI, 32.0-46.4%). The risk of allergic sensitization was sex related (male versus female adjusted odds ratio, OR(A), 1.91, 95%CI, 1.24-2.95), and also related to the age (3-5 versus 0-2 year old OR(A) 1.96, 95%CI, 1.27-3.0), type of early feeding (maternal milk versus infant formula OR(A) 0.51, 95%CI, 0.31-0.84) and geoclimatic area (OR(A) Continental versus Atlantic 2.26, 95%CI, 1.30-3.93). Compared to the Atlantic area, the Continental area the sensitization was lower to mites (OR(A) 0.16, 95%CI, 0.07-0.36) and higher to grass (OR(A) 4.65, 95%CI 1.99-10.86), cow milk (OR(A) 5.17, 95%CI, 1.71-15.62) and egg (OR(A) 5.26, 95%CI, 2.04-13.62), whereas in the Mediterranean area the sensitization was lower to mites (OR(A) 0.29, 95%CI, 0.13-0.64) and higher to cow milk (OR(A) 3.81, 95%CI, 1.20-12.14) and egg (OR(A) 5.24, 95%CI, 1.94-14.20). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of small children treated at the paediatric primary health care centres due to wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis had allergic sensitization. There appears to be a geoclimatic variation in the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant and food allergens among young children with allergic like symptoms who live in Spain.

[Evaluation of activities and effectiveness of an asthmatic child program developed in primary care]. / Evaluación de las actividades y de la efectividad de un programa del niño asmático desarrollado en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate activities and effectiveness of a programme of attention to asthmatic child, defined by a proper diagnostic process and therapeutic intervention, by the gain of educational goals and by reduction of number of asthma attacks. DESIGN: A before-after study SETTING: Primary care PARTICIPANTS: The first 81 children attracted to the programme. Aged 5 to 13. INTERVENTION: Each child was periodically revised (mean time of monitoring 11 months and 24 days: interval 7-17 months). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intervention obtained significative results (p < 0.0001) in: lung function study and allergens detection, use of inhalatory way and peak flow meter. Asthma attacks were reduced (p < 0.0001): before 216, mean 2.66, SD 1.85, range 0-8; and after 117, mean 1.44, SD 1.27, range 0-5. CONCLUSIONS: 1. A systematic and organized intervention from Primary Care results effective to improve quality of life in asthmatic child (better diagnostic, more abilities, less asthma attacks). 2. It must be stated new strategies for reduction of smoking at home of these children.

[Reduction in the number of hospitalizations for asthma. Quality assurance program for the management of asthma crises in a district hospital]. / Reducción de ingresos por asma. Programa de mejora de la calidad de la atención a la crisis asmática en un hospital de área.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of a quality assurance program intended to improve the care of children with acute asthma in the emergency ward of a first level hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: New guidelines for acute asthma management in children were developed and applied beginning 1-1-1997. The ways to deal with an asthma crisis in 1996 and 1997 were compared. The quality guarantee cycle was the method for application of the guidelines, health workers being aware of the starting point (1996) and which areas could be improved. The quality of the clinical assessment of the asthma crisis, the adequacy of treatment, and the final destination of the patients (discharge or admission) were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-seven and 68 asthma crises were attended to during 1996 and 1997, respectively. We noticed significant improvements in the clinical assessment of the crisis (p < 0.001), in the correct usage of the term "asthma crisis" (p < 0.001) and in the description of the crisis severity (p < 0.001). The number of improper therapeutic procedures was reduced (p < 0.0001). Children with a mild crisis, except for those associated with risk factors (14% in 1996 and 6% in 1997), were discharged from the hospital. All children with severe crises were admitted to the hospital. Of the children with moderate crises, 75% need hospitalization in 1996, while only 45.1% did during 1997 (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following appropriate guidelines during acute asthma attacks implies better care of the asthmatic child and reduces the number of hospital admissions. The quality guarantee cycle is a proper way to achieve these goals.

[Primary pancreatic hydatid cyst and primordial familial dwarfism]. / Quiste hidatídico pancreático primitivo y enanismo primordial familiar.

A 10 years and 7 months old male, was studied for a pathologic, primordial hipogrowing disease, probably due to a recessive and autosomic transmission, because he has got a sister with the same illness, and he was diagnostified of a pancreatic cyst, whind was found in an echographical exploration and established by scanner as intraglandular cyst. There are no others cysts found detected in a complete body-check. The chirurgic findings was a solitary hydatidic intrapancreatic cyst whid was extirpated. The patient's and sister's facial characteristics (big nose, long and thin neck, large forehead), the normal hormonal study in this case, the observation of small bone defects (first finger of the foot thicker than usual, cone epifisis in hands), a normal intelligence and the not accordance between them and the usual in literature described kind, suggest to be a different form the congenital autosomic, recessive dwarfism, not according to the usual one.

Perfil de sensibilización alérgica en niños de 0 a 5 años con sibilancias o dermatitis atópica / Allergic sensitization profile in 0–5 year old children with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis

Antecedentes Aunque las enfermedades alérgicas son frecuentes en la infancia, pocos estudios han caracterizado el perfil de sensibilización inmunoglobulina (Ig) E en niños pequeños con síntomas de posible origen alérgico. Objetivo Establecer la prevalencia y el tipo de sensibilización alérgica, y los factores demográficos y ambientales relacionados con ambas características, en niños de 0 a 5 años de edad con sibilancias o dermatitis atópica. Población y métodos Estudio transversal colaborativo en el que participaron 20 centros de atención primaria de diversas áreas geográficas de España. En conjunto, 468 niños con sibilancias o dermatitis atópica realizaron una evaluación alergológica que incluyó la determinación en sangre de anticuerpos IgE específicos frente a neumoalérgenos y trofoalérgenos prevalentes. Resultados Se detectó sensibilización alérgica en el 32,4% de los niños con sibilancias (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 26,3–38,6%), el 54,8% de los niños con dermatitis atópica (IC del 95%: 42,1–67,6%) y el 39,2% de los que tuvieron ambos procesos (IC del 95%: 32,0–46,4%). El riesgo de sensibilización se vio influido por el sexo (odds ratio ajustado [ORA] masculino versus femenino: 1,91; IC del 95%: 1,24–2,95), la edad (ORA 3–5 versus 0–2 años: 1,96; IC del 95%: 1,27–3,0), el tipo de lactancia (ORA materna versus artificial: 0,51; IC del 95%: 0,31–0,84) y el área geoclimática (ORA continental versus atlántica: 2,26; IC del 95%: 1,30–3,93). Con respecto al área atlántica, la sensibilización en el área continental fue menor a ácaros (ORA: 0,16; IC del 95%: 0,07–0,36) y mayor a gramíneas (ORA: 4,65; IC del 95%: 1,99–10,86), leche de vaca (ORA: 5,17; IC del 95%: 1,71–15,62) y huevo (ORA: 5,26; IC del 95%: 2,04–13,62), mientras que en el área mediterránea fue menor a ácaros (ORA: 0,29; IC del 95%: 0,13–0,64) y mayor a leche de vaca (ORA: 3,81; IC del 95%: 1,20–12,14) y huevo (ORA: 5,24; IC del 95%: 1,94–14,20). Conclusiones Una proporción relevante de los niños pequeños asistidos en atención primaria por sibilancias o dermatitis atópica presentan sensibilización alérgica. En España parecen existir variaciones según el área geoclimática en la prevalencia de sensibilización a inhalantes y alimentos en lactantes y niños preescolares con síntomas de posible origen alérgico (AU)

Background Although allergic diseases are frequent in childhood, few studies have characterised the IgE sensitization profile among young children with allergic-like symptoms. Objective To determine the prevalence and the type of allergic sensitization, as well as the demographic and environmental factors related to both characteristics, among 0–5 year old children presenting with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis. Methods Collaborative cross-over study developed in the paediatric setting of 20 Spanish Primary Health Care Centres. An allergology evaluation including blood determination of specific IgE antibodies to common inhalant and food allergens was performed on 468 children who presented with wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis. Results Allergic sensitization was detected in 32.4% of the children with wheezing (95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 26.3–38.6%), in 54.8% of the children who had atopic dermatitis (95%CI, 42.1–67.6%) and in 39.2% of the children with both processes (95%CI, 32.0–46.4%). The risk of allergic sensitization was sex related (male versus female adjusted odds ratio, ORA, 1.91, 95%CI, 1.24–2.95), and also related to the age (3–5 versus 0–2 year old ORA 1.96, 95%CI, 1.27–3.0), type of early feeding (maternal milk versus infant formula ORA 0.51, 95%CI, 0.31–0.84) and geoclimatic area (ORA Continental versus Atlantic 2.26, 95%CI, 1.30–3.93). Compared to the Atlantic area, the Continental area the sensitization was lower to mites (ORA 0.16, 95%CI, 0.07–0.36) and higher to grass (ORA 4.65, 95%CI 1.99–10.86), cow milk (ORA 5.17, 95%CI, 1.71–15.62) and egg (ORA 5.26, 95%CI, 2.04–13.62), whereas in the Mediterranean area the sensitization was lower to mites (ORA 0.29, 95%CI, 0.13–0.64) and higher to cow milk (ORA 3.81, 95%CI, 1.20–12.14) and egg (ORA 5.24, 95%CI, 1.94–14.20). Conclusion A significant proportion of small children treated at the paediatric primary health care centres due to wheezing and/or atopic dermatitis had allergic sensitization. There appears to be a geoclimatic variation in the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant and food allergens among young children with allergic like symptoms who live in Spain (AU)

De las facultades de Medicina a la residencia de Pediatría, pasando por el examen de médico interno residente: ¿algo debe cambiar? Resultados de una encuesta en residentes de Pediatría de cuarto año / From medical school to paediatric residency, stopping of at the MIR exam: Something must change? A survey of fourth year pediatric residents

Introducción: El sistema educativo español de Medicina ha contribuido de forma importante al desarrollo del Sistema Nacional de Salud, pero continúa siendo necesario un proceso integral de evaluación. Objetivo: Valorar diversos aspectos de la formación médica pregraduada y posgraduada (médico interno residente [MIR]) de los residentes españoles en Pediatría. Material y métodos: Encuesta anónima con respuestas codificadas dirigida a 61 residentes de Pediatría de cuarto año. Resultados: Dos tercios de los residentes consideran que el programa curricular de Medicina debe cambiar, y proponen menos educación teórica. Similar proporción de residentes consideran que el examen MIR debe introducir cuestiones sobre capacidades y sobre aptitudes, además de las exclusivas preguntas actuales sobre conocimientos. El tutor MIR se considera una figura importante para el 90% de los residentes de Pediatría, pero en su valoración, se suspende al 35% de los tutores. Los conceptos relacionados con la Medicina basada en la evidencia (MBE) se están introduciendo en la formación médica de pregrado (un 48% de los residentes considera haber recibido una correcta preparación) y en la de posgrado (69%), pero aún se detectan áreas en las que cabe mejorar la formación, como en la búsqueda de información bibliográfica y en la lectura crítica de documentos. Conclusiones: La calidad de la educación médica (pregrado y posgrado) muestra varios aspectos que deben cambiar, principalmente en relación con 2 paradigmas actuales: el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior y la MBE (AU)

Introduction: The Spanish medical education system has made a great contribution to the development of the National Health Service, but a need for an overall assessment process still remains. Aim: Evaluate several issues of under- and postgraduate (MIR) medical education of Spanish residents in Paediatrics. Method: An anonymous questionnaire with coded answers administered to 61 paediatric residents in the fourth year of specialty. Results: Two thirds of residents think that the Medicine curriculum must change, with less theoretical education. Similarly a proportion of residents believes that the MIR Exam should introduce items on skills and abilities in addition to the current items. Resident tutors are considered positively in 90% of cases, but 35% of them failed in their assessment. Concepts related to evidence-based medicine are being introduced into undergraduate medical education (48% of answers) and postgraduate (69%), but we still found several areas for improvement: bibliographic information searching and critical appraisal of scientific documents. Conclusions: The quality of medical education (undergraduate and postgraduate) shows several issues that must change, mainly related to two current paradigms: the European Higher Education Area (EEHA) and Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) (AU)

Factibilidad de la medición en atención primaria de la fracción exhalada de óxido nítrico en niños con asma. Estudio CANON / Feasibility of FeNO measurement in asthmatic children in the primary care setting. CANON Study

Objetivo: Evaluar la factibilidad de la medición de la fracción exhalada de óxido nítrico (FeNO) en niños con asma, mediante la utilización de un dispositivo portátil, en el contexto de la atención primaria de salud. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, transversal, de visita única, en 7 centros de salud de España. Cada centro incluyó, de forma consecutiva, a niños de 6 a 14 años con diagnóstico médico de asma. Cada niño debía realizar 2 maniobras válidas de la FeNO utilizando el medidor portátil NIOX MINO(R) (Aerocrine AB, Solna, Suecia). El análisis de factibilidad incluyó: a) porcentaje de niños capaces de realizar la maniobra; b) determinación del número de pruebas necesarias hasta obtener un resultado válido; c) tiempo empleado entre el inicio de la primera maniobra y la obtención del resultado, y d) opinión del técnico sobre la facilidad de la enseñanza de la maniobra y valoración de la dificultad para su realización. Resultados: Se invitó a participar a 151 niños, de los cuales 149 (98,7%) fueron capaces de hacer la maniobra de la FeNO. El 55% de los niños tenía experiencia previa en el uso del dispositivo. Para el conjunto de los niños, la mediana de intentos necesarios hasta una medición válida fue de 2 (amplitud intercuartílica [IQR]: 1 a 3) y la mediana de tiempo empleado fue de 4min (IQR: 3 a 5). El personal sanitario a cargo de la prueba consideró el procedimiento (enseñanza y maniobra) fácil o muy fácil para el 87,8% (enseñanza) y para el 86,5% (maniobra) de los niños. Comparativamente, los niños con experiencia previa realizaron la prueba en menos intentos y menos tiempo, y la enseñanza y la ejecución les resultaron significativamente más fáciles que a los niños sin experiencia. Conclusiones: La medición de la FeNO con el medidor NIOX MINO(R), en el contexto de la atención primaria, es técnicamente factible y aceptable para los niños y el personal sanitario. La experiencia previa ejerce un papel de aprendizaje positivo y proporciona resultados válidos en menor tiempo y con menor número de intentos (AU)

Aim: Asses the feasibility of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement in asthmatic children using a hand-held device in the primary care setting. Methods: Multicentre study performed in the paediatric clinics in seven Spanish primary health care centres. Each centre consecutively included 6–14 year-old children with doctor-diagnosed asthma. Children were asked to obtain two valid measurements of FeNO with the hand-held device NIOX MINO(R) (Aerocrine AB, Solna, Sweden). Feasibility analysis included: (a) percentage of children able to perform the manoeuvre, (b) time required to obtain a successful determination, (c) number of attempts needed, and (d) acceptability of the technical procedure by clinical personnel involved in their guidance. Results: The Study enrolled 151 children. A total of 149 (98.7%) were able to perform the FeNO manoeuvre. The majority (55%) of children had previous experience of using the hand-held device. The Overall median (and Interquartile Range, IQR) of attempts needed to reach a first valid measurement was 2 (1–3) and median (IQR) of time taken was 4min (3–5). Nurses considered the overall procedure was very easy or easy in 87.8% (teaching) and 86.5% (performing) of children. Children with previous experience performed the manoeuvre in less attempts, less time and more easily than children without experience. Conclusions: Measurement of FeNO using NIOX MINO(R) device is technically feasible and acceptable for children and staff in the clinical context of asthma management in primary health care. Previous experience had a positive, learning effect, in teaching and performing the FeNO manoeuvre (AU)