Lung Function Studies in Children with Allergic Rhinitis

Thirty carefully selected children with seasonal allergic rhinitis but without history or signs of lung involvement were examined clinically and by lung function tests during the pollen season as well as in the pollen-free season. During the pollen-free season the children had -if anything - slightly better lung function than a healthy control material. During the pollen season the only change was a slight increase in FRC and a decrease in lung clearance index, directly proportional to the change in FRC. Sixteen of the children performed an exercise test in the pollen-free season. A small increase in the volume of trapped gas (VTG) was noted, indicating a subclinical spasm in small airways. Salbutamol inhalation alter exercise reduced VTG below base-line values, indicating disappearance of subclinical bronchospasm. Hay Fever children thus have a tendency towards bronchospasm after exercise in the pollen-free season, which, owever, is of no clinical importance, as their VTG also after the exercise was less (better) than the predicted normal.