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Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a rapidly growing field of research in respiratory medicine. Airway inflammation is a central feature of chronic lung diseases, like asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and primary ciliary dyskinesia. EBC may be a useful technique for non-invasive assessment of markers of airway inflammation. The non-invasive character of EBC "inflammometry" and the general lack of appropriate techniques makes it particularly interesting for paediatrics. We provide a detailed update on the methods currently used for EBC collection and measurement of mediators. We emphasize on paediatric data. The apparent simplicity of the EBC method must not be overstated, as numerous methodological pitfalls have yet to overcome. Comparison and interpretation of data on this rapidly growing field of research is mainly hampered by the lack of standardization and the lack of specific high-sensitivity immunochemical or colorimetric assays. The initiative of the European Respiratory Society to institute a task force on this topic is a first step towards a uniform technique of EBC. Meanwhile, when using this technique or when interpreting research data, one should be fully aware of the possible methodological pitfalls.

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Background: Our primary purpose was to determine the normal range and variability of blood volume (BV) in healthy children, in order to provide reference values during childhood and adolescence. Our secondary aim was to correlate these vascular volumes to body size parameters and pubertal stages, in order to determine the best normalisation parameter.

Erasmus University Rotterdam, The NetherIand.7 1M.A. J.d. R., T. S. 1A retrospective study is reported assessing final height (FH) and its predictive factors in 52 patients (31 male, 21 female) who underwent renal transplantation (RTx) before the age of 15 y. They received prednisone daily or on alternate days as well as azathioprine. The study period covered 20 y. FH remained below the third height percentile [height standard deviation score for chronologic age (hSDS,,) < -1.881 for most of these patients (77% males, 71% females). Median (range) FH was 165.0 (143.0-176.8) cm in males and 153.0 (135.0-168.4) cm in females. Median difference between FH and target height was 15.0 and 15.4 cm for males and females, respectively. For both sexes, the median hSDS,, was already below -1.88 at the start of the first hemodialysis, after which it decreased significantly until the first RTx. After RTx, there was no significant improvement of hSDS,,.The predictive factors for FH were determined by evaluating various factors simultaneously in a multiple regression analysis. This analysis provided a regression equation for predicting FH. A higher hSDS,, at the time of the first RTx and alternate-day versus daily prednisone therapy both had a significantly positive influence on FH, whereas a longer duration of reduced GFR ( 4 0 mLlminl1.73 m') had a significantly negative effect on FH. Other factors such as age or bone age at first RTx, primary renal disease, duration of initial dialysis, repeat RTx, and the cumulative dose of prednisone did not influence FH significantly. In conclusion, 71-77% of patients that received their first renal transplant before the age of 15 ended up with severely short adult stature. Optimization of the hSDS,., at first RTx appears very important. Long-term administration of prcdnisone on alternate days would then result in optimal FH, particularly if the GFR remains above 50 mL/min/1.73 m2. (Pediatr Res 36: 323-328, 1994) Abbreviations FH, final heightRTx, renal transplantation hSDS,,, height standard deviation score for chronologic age HD, hemodialysis AD, alternate-day Growth failure is a common and serious consequence of chronic renal failure in childhood. The majority of these children now survive thanks t o advances in hemodialysis and RTx, but successful transplantation rarely results in full growth rehabilitation. Some children show an appreciable improvement in growth after RTx, but the initially increased growth rate may not be sustained during the ensuing years of immunosuppressive drug administration (1). reported that the F H of o n e third of patients w h o underwent RTx