Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry based Pesticides Assessment and their Association with Allergic Markers and Airways Obstruction in Pediatric Asthma

Abstract

Background: Pesticide exposure in children, especially through inhalation, can worsen asthma and contribute to its development, often from indoor sources and residue on products.

Aim: The study examines pesticide levels (organophosphate, organochlorine, and pyrethroid groups) and their potential link to allergic marker (eosinophils and IgE levels) and airways obstruction (FEV1) in asthmatic children and controls.

Method: Total 100 asthmatic children and 100 age-sex matched controls were enrolled. Serum Pesticides levels were measured using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and IgE was measured by immunoturbidity assay.

Result: Among 140 screened pesticides, four were identifiable which is belong from pyrethroid group and they are commonly used in mosquito coils, spray, and repellents in both asthmatic children and controls. Metofluthrin (2.9-fold), allethrin (24.6-fold), imiprothrin (2.6-fold) and transfluthrin (3.9-fold) were significantly higher in asthmatic children than control (p<0.05). We observed that increased eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels, and reduced FEV1 % in asthmatic children as compared to controls (p<0.05). Eosinophils and IgE levels were positively correlated with transfluthrin (r=0.300 p=0.038; r=0.363, p=0.006), metofluthrin (r=0.401, p<0.0001; r=0.399, p<0.0001), allethrin (r=0.252, p<0.0001; r=0.474, p<0.0001) and imiprothrin (r=0.498, p<0.0001; r=0.401, p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Exposure to household pesticides like transfluthrin, allethrin, metofluthrin, and imiprothrin in children not only triggers allergic reactions but also worsens asthma severity.