title: [Limits in the evaluation of bronchial reactivity in children with asthma].
abstract: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) reflects an exaggerated sensitivity of airways to pharmacologic and/or physical stimuli. Patients with symptomatic asthma often have a higher degree of BHR than nonasthmatics, even though BHR shows a variable relationship with the clinical expression of the disease and with medication requirements. Methods of bronchial challenge, initially developed in adults, are increasingly employed also in children. The Authors discuss the clinical significance of the evaluation of bronchial responsiveness in the diagnostic approach and follow-up of children with asthma. Some methodological aspects and limits of bronchial challenging in childhood are expecially addressed.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Verona, Italia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mingoni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fortunati
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Valletta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006632:Histamine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D006632:Histamine
vernacular_title: Limiti della valutazione della reattività bronchiale nel bambino con asma.