Towards a metabolomic approach to respiratory disease in childhood: Feasibility and acceptability of a novel breath-sampling procedure and initial breath analysis data

Asthma diagnosis and treatment is based mainly on presence of symptoms and response to treatment. This carries the risk of misdiagnosis and under- or overtreatment. The focus in asthma management has shifted to the underlying chronic airway inflammation. We are developing a novel approach in which breath samples are analysed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that alone or in combination may be used as biomarkers for airway inflammation. The aims of the current study are (1) to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the sampling procedures for children aged 8-16 years, and (2) to collect preliminary data on potential candidate markers. [Taken from Introduction and Objectives]