Complement Factor (C3) Level as Marker of Inflammation in Paediatric Asthma

Aim: To assess the serum levels of a complement factors C3 in Indian asthmatic children and compare them with those of healthy controls in order to establish a relationship between the levels of these factors and asthma disease process. Method: Serum c3 levels of 44 children with acute asthma and 44 controls of the age group of 6-16 years was determined and statistically compared. Lung function tests (FEV1%) was done and correlated with serum c3 levels using Pearson’s comparison coefficient. Results: The mean serum c3 value of cases (138±32.99) is higher than the controls (112.82±14.6), with 32% cases showing higher than normal level of serum C3. Pearson’s correlation coefficient reveals negative correlation between FEV1% with serum C3 levels. Conclusion: This study reveals that serum levels of complement c3 are statistically higher in subjects with asthma as compared to healthy subjects. Further, serum levels of c3 reflect the severity of the disease, with its levels being higher when disease is more severe.