Abstract
In this study, allergic and non allergic children (7–13 years) were challenged with increasing doses (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg) of histamine, methacholine, and bradykinin at different study sessions. The effects of these challenges on nasal patency, secretion weight, sneezing, nasal symptoms, eustachian tube function, middle-ear pressure, and pulmonary function were documented. Although intranasal challenges with the three substances provoked nasal symptoms and secretion, only histamine challenge provoked sneezing and resulted in significant changes in the measures of nasal patency and eustachian tube function. None of the substances provoked changes in middle ear pressures or pulmonary function. Allergic status had a significant effect on secretion weight and symptoms of congestion and rhinorrhea, most consistently documented as a greater response of the allergic subjects to histamine challenge. In general, the results of this study in children are similar to those previously described for challenges with these substances in adults.
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