Background: Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic disorder in childhood, and
asthma exacerbation is an important cause of childhood morbidity and hospitalization.
Aim of the work: It was to measure serum level of L-carnitine in children with bronchial asthma
and to correlate its level with the severity of the disease.
Subjects and methods: This study included 3 groups. First group included 30 asthmatic children
in acute attack, the second group included 15 children with stable asthma, and the third group (control
group) included 10 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex with patients’ groups.
The severity of the acute attack was determined according to pulmonary Score system. Serum
L-carnitine levels and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were estimated once in control group
and stable asthmatics and twice in children with acute attack, the first during the attack and the
second 3 weeks after the attack.
Results: Serum L-carnitine levels were significantly reduced in children suffering from acute asthmatic
attacks than in the stable asthmatics and controls, while there was no significant difference
between the latter two groups. Serum L-carnitine levels were not affected by the severity of the
attack (no difference between mild and moderate attacks). On the other hand, L-carnitine levels
were significantly reduced at the time of the acute attack than after 3 weeks of the attack.
Conclusion: According to our study, it could be concluded that L-carnitine decrease is linked to
the occurrence of attack of bronchial asthma. Accordingly, it is recommended to make further studies
to find out if there is a beneficial role of carnitine intake in the prophylaxis & treatment of
attacks of bronchial asthma. The recommended studies should search for the most suitable dose
& side effects of carnitine as a potential pharmaceutical agent. |
