Serum Impedance in Children with Recurrent Respiratory Infections

The role of disturbed immunoglobulin content during recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTI) might escape recognition in practical children's diagnostics. This study aims to investigate the potential changes in serum impedance caused by a constellation of decreases in the immunoglobulin IgA, IgG, and IgM content in RTI. The control group consisted of children suffering from RTI without any evident decreases in immunoglobulins. Serum bioelectrical properties were measured using impedance spectroscopy and immunoglobulins with an immunoturbidimetric analyzer. We found that the magnitude of serum impedance was significantly smaller in the sick children with immunoglobulin deficiency when compared with those of normal immunoglobulin profile, 134.1 ± 12.8 Ω vs 141.2 ± 16.9 Ω, respectively. We conclude that serum impedance, a parameter easily measured, has the potential to unravel the immunological underlining of RTI, particularly frequent and troubling infections in children. Screening for immunological disturbance is essential for the prompt implementation of a targeted treatment.