Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship and significance of interleukin-38 (IL-38), a new cytokine,with allergic asthma in children. Methods Sixty paediatric allergic asthma patients who attended the paediatric department of Friendship Hospital of Urumqi from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected. At the same time,30 healthy children were selected as the healthy control group. Clinical data such as IL-38 level in induced sputum,exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO),lung function and childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) were collected. Results Compared with the healthy control group and the clinical remission group,the level of IL-38 in induced sputum of the acute attack group was significantly lower(P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that in the acute exacerbation group, the level of IL-38 in induced sputum was negatively correlated with FeNO (P<0.05), but had no correlation with eosinophils,IgE,lung function, C-ACT score and other indicators(P>0.05). In the clinical remission group and healthy control group,there was no correlation between induced sputum IL-38 level and each index(P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the score of Children's Asthma Control Test(C-ACT) was an independent influencing factor for the acute attack of allergic asthma in children(OR= 5.427,95%CI: 4.926~6.112), while IL-38 was not an independent influencing factor for the acute attack of allergic asthma in children(OR= 1.597,95%CI: 0.758~1.761). Conclusion IL-38 may participate in the process of allergic asthma in children,but it is not an independent factor influencing the acute attack of allergic asthma in children.

Key words: allergic asthma, interleukin-38, children