Exercise challenge test in 3- to 6-year-old asthmatic children.
BACKGROUND
The exercise challenge test (ECT) is a common tool to assess exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in school-aged children. EIA has not been explored in the early childhood setting.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the existence of EIA in children in this age group.


RESULTS
A 6-min, controlled, free-run test was performed in 55 children (age range, 3 to 6 years old) who were classified into the following groups: 30 children in whom asthma had been previously diagnosed (group A); and 25 children with prolonged coughing (group B). Spirometry measurements were obtained before the run, and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 20 min after the run. A positive finding of EIA was defined as a 13% decrease from baseline FEV(1) or baseline forced expiratory volume in the first 0.5 s (FEV(0.5)). The actual duration of each run was age-related (mean [+/- SD] duration, 4.8 +/- 0.8 min). The nadir in indexes occurred after a mean time of 2.98 +/- 1.31 min. A positive EIA finding determined by FEV(1) was present in 15 children, and by FEV(0.5) in 34 children. Twenty-six children were from group A, but only 8 children were from group B. Wheezing and/or prolonged expiration were associated with a positive test result in 31 of 34 children. Coughing was frequent in children with both negative and positive ECT findings.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study documents for the first time the presence of EIA in response to a free-run test in early childhood. Our findings suggest that a free-run test for the presence of EIA is suitable, but that the running duration is limited by age. The duration of airflow limitation after exercise is significantly earlier and shorter in young children with asthma compared with older children. FEV(0.5) is a better index than the traditional FEV(1) for describing positive ECT results in young children. The association of wheezing and/or prolonged expiration may help in defining EIA in early childhood in the absence of a spirometer.
Vilozni
Daphna
D
Pediatric Pulmonary Unit, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel. daphna.vilozni@sheba.health.gov.il
Bentur
Lea
L
Efrati
Ori
O
Barak
Asher
A
Szeinberg
Amir
A
Shoseyov
David
D
Yahav
Yaacov
Y
Augarten
Arie
A
D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry