Sputum induction in children.

Sputum induction has been used to study asthma in children since the first description of the technique in 1992 [1]. Since then, w20 reports (five reviews) have appeared in the literature describing sputum induction in children with airways disease. In general, sputum induction in children of w6 yrs is safe and has a satisfactory success rate. Approximately 500 children have been studied by sputum induction. The diagnoses of the studied children include stable asthma (n=308), acute asthma (n=18) and healthy control subjects (n=185). Studies have included children aged 5–18 yrs, with a mean age of 11.2 yrs. Most studies have included children of w6 yrs. Studies of children with asthma have included subjects across the spectrum of severity. The following issues regarding sputum induction in children are reviewed in the present article: 1) protocols used in children; 2) safety of induction; 3) management of airway obstruction during sputum induction; 4) sputum processing; 5) normal values in children; 6) findings in asthmatic children; 7) effect of treatment on induced sputum parameters; and 8) clinical applications.