Background: Bronchial asthma, the most prevalent chronic inflammatory airway disease in children, exhibits a concerning rise in both incidence and prevalence. Asthma biomarkers hold promise for stratifying patients into distinct clinical phenotypes, paving the way for targeted and personalized treatment approaches. Aim of Study: This study aimed to evaluate the association between novel and non-established semi-invasive circulating and well-known exhaled inflammatory biomarkers in two distinct pediatric asthma populations stratified by disease severity. Materials and Methods: Forty-four asthmatic children aged 8– 12 years meeting inclusion criteria were recruited from hospitalized patients. The first group (n=15, mean age 9.8 years) consisted of patients with mild persistent asthma who did not require regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The second group (n=29, mean age 9.8 years) consisted of children with moderate to persistent asthma who received regular ICS treatment. Serum levels of interleukins (IL-13, IL-1β), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), and surfactant protein D (SPD) were measured by ELISA in all participants. In addition, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophil counts were evaluated. Results: No significant differences were observed in the baseline plasma concentrations of inflammatory markers (IL-13, IL-1β, SPD, and EDN) or exhaled FeNO between the ICS-treated and non-ICS-treated groups. Further inter-individual analysis confirmed significant positive correlations between IL-13, SPD, and IL-1β (Pearson’s r = 0.591– 0.781) in both groups of patients. Interestingly, the ICS-treated group compared to the nontreated group showed an exclusive moderate negative correlation between FeNO and IL-1β. In contrast, FeNO exhibited a positive correlation with EDN and a strong association with eosinophil count in all the study groups. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the complex and unresolved role of asthma biomarkers in routine clinical practice for the management of childhood asthma, particularly in predicting exacerbations. By comparing the relationships of carefully selected biomarkers, we can achieve a greater clinical predictive value.

Background/Objectives: Seasonal influenza imposes a significant burden on pediatric public health. Despite official recommendations and full insurance coverage, vaccination rates among children in Slovakia remain critically low. This study aims to analyze the attitudes, beliefs, and determinants of parental hesitancy regarding childhood influenza vaccination in the post-pandemic context. Methods: A single-center cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and March 2025 using convenience sampling among parents of children attending a pediatric immunoallergology center. An anonymous questionnaire collected data on demographics, risk perception, and attitudes. Data from 301 parents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and odds ratios (OR) to identify key predictors of hesitancy. Results: Only 27.6% of parents expressed willingness to vaccinate their children, while 42.5% were opposed and 29.9% hesitant. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between parental university education and vaccination intent (p > 0.05), indicating that vaccine hesitancy in this specific setting was present across all educational backgrounds. However, the source of information proved to be a critical determinant: consulting a pediatrician significantly increased the odds of acceptance (OR = 6.32; 95% CI: 3.54–11.28), whereas reliance on the internet and social media was a significant predictor of refusal (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.17–0.50). The primary reported barrier was fear of adverse effects (70.4%), which significantly outweighed doubts about efficacy (30.2%). Conclusions: Parental hesitancy in Slovakia is a widespread phenomenon pervasive across all educational backgrounds, driven primarily by safety concerns and digital misinformation. The contrast between the protective influence of pediatricians and the negative impact of digital media underscores that clinical encounters are currently the most effective firewall against hesitancy. Public health strategies must therefore pivot from general education to empowering pediatricians with active, presumptive communication strategies.

Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in children. Treatment approaches should aim to achieve disease control, reduce limiting symptoms, and improve quality of life. The routine management of patients with asthma relies on the assessment of symptoms (including persistent cough and wheezing) and spirometry results However, these strategies do not consider the level of airway inflammation, which is a fundamental pathognomonic feature of the disease. The use of biomarkers is increasing in an effort to better understand individual asthma pathways (endotyping), offering the potential for personalized treatment with innovative biologics. Elevated levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) are an indirect marker of T2 airway inflammation. FeNO is one of the few biomarkers that has been implemented in routine clinical practice because of its undeniable advantages, such as accessibility, noninvasiveness, simple implementation, and cost-effectiveness. However, the current scientific evidence in children is insufficient to recommend its universal use in the diagnosis and treatment of all patients. Considering its known limitations, FeNO can enhance therapeutic processes, particularly in children with severe asthma. High FeNO levels predict a good therapeutic response to corticosteroids and selected biologics (e.g., omalizumab and dupilumab) and indicate an increased risk of exacerbation. Similarly, measuring FeNO levels in children with recurrent wheezing can help determine the risk of future asthma development. Various factors contributing to FeNO value variability must be considered when interpreting the results. The lack of robust clinical studies is reflected in inconsistent guidelines from professional societies regarding the use of FeNO in managing childhood asthma. This review aims to evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, and potential applications of FeNO measurements in light of new findings in the field.

?vod: Respira?n? v?rusy s? hlavnou pr??inou chorobnosti u det? so z?va?n?mi dopadmi na spolo?nos?. Ciele: Retrospekt?vna anal?za charakteristick?ch epidemiologick?ch vzorcov vybran?ch respira?n?ch v?rusov detegovan?ch PCR metodikou u ?asto cho... ?vod: Respira?n? v?rusy s? hlavnou pr??inou chorobnosti u det? so z?va?n?mi dopadmi na spolo?nos?. Ciele: Retrospekt?vna anal?za charakteristick?ch epidemiologick?ch vzorcov vybran?ch respira?n?ch v?rusov detegovan?ch PCR metodikou u ?asto cho...