Prediction of peri-operative adverse respiratory events in children: the role of exhaled nitric oxide

Summary Increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) may be a more objective predictor in identifying children at higher risk of peri-operative adverse respiratory events than the presence of risk factors such as recent cold or wheeze. Children with either none or ≥ 2 risk factors had eNO measured before surgery and any peri-operative adverse respiratory events were recorded. We found that an elevated eNO level was only predictive of adverse respiratory events in children with ≥ 2 risk factors (OR 2.96 (95% CI 1.48–5.93), p = 0.002). The presence of risk factors had a better predictive capability than a raised eNO level (OR 3.83 (95% CI 1.85–7.95), p