There’s something in the air – the role of volatile organic compounds in exhaled air in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in children

Bronchial asthma, which is the most common chronic disease of the respiratory system, causes significant diagnostic problems in younger children due to the difficulty of performing typical respiratory function tests, including spirometry. This problem is especially important for paediatricians, allergists, and pulmonologists. A new, promising method of objectifying allergic inflammation in the respiratory tract is the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled air. They are formed during the metabolic processes of the body’s cells and the microorganisms that inhabit it. Clinical benefits of the VOC profile have been proven in differentiating asthma phenotypes, monitoring its course, predicting exacerbations, and responding to treatment. However, further studies are needed to standardise this process and establish reference standards. The aim of this study is to review the latest literature on the usefulness of VOC profiles in exhaled air and the composition of the microbiome in children with bronchial asthma.