[Clinical evaluation of Zaditen syrup in the treatment of children with bronchial asthma]. / Kliniczna ocena skutecznosci preparatu Zaditen (syrop) u dzieci z dychawica oskrzelowa.

60 children with atopic asthma were included to the doubleblind study, in order to compare Zaditen and Clemastine. The trial was completed after 12 weeks of treatment. The efficacy was evaluated on the basis of clinical observation, lung function measurements and laboratory data. The Zaditen was shown to have more beneficial clinical effect on studied group than Clemastine. The lung function measurements before and after treatment did not showed much difference, although a significant decrease of the nonspecific bronchial reactivity to histamine was observed in the group receiving Zaditen . This was observed shortly after beginning of the treatment up to 6 weeks. Zaditen sirup was well tolerated and the only side effect observed was a significant weight increase, which could be explained by the elevation of serum sodium ions concentration.

[Efficacy of gas exchange in the lung of children (author's transl)]. / Die Beurteilung des Gasaustausches in der Lunge bei Kindern.

Determination of the CO transfer through lungs is the most direct method of determination of lung function. In children more convenient for practical use is the "steady state" than the "single breath" method. Besides classical coefficient of transfer (TLCO) interpretation of results may be widened by coefficients of the CO fractional uptake - global (FUCO) and partials, informing about exchange of gases in airways (FUCO) and in alveolies (FUaCO) the predicted values of the above coefficients should be calculated, accordingly to the opinion of authors, in relation with tidal volume (TV) or with total lung capacity (TLC), but FUCO and FUaCO with frequency of breathing (f). Cited examples of clinical results prove practical usefulness of application the "steady state" method in children.

Importance of respiratory allergy in provoking reversible bronchial obstruction.

In five groups of children: representative sample of normal population, children suffering from bronchitis in the past and children with diagnosed asthmatics, results of unspecific bronchial reactivity to histamine were evaluated and in some of the groups results of skin and inhalatory reactions to allergen solutions were compared. Important discrepancy between skin and inhalatory reactions was shown. Potentialization of unspecific bronchial hyperreactivity after history of bronchitis was noticed. No relationship between attacks of bronchitis in the first 12 months of life and respiratory allergization could be found.

[Recommendation for a definition of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (author's transl)]. / Empfehlung zur Definition des Krankheitsbildes Allergische Alveolitis.

On the basis of diagnostic criteria (history of exposure, airway and general symptoms, detection of antibodies, disturbance of pulmonary function, chest X-ray, allergen inhalation test) a definition of extrinsic allergic alveolitis is proposed. The air is better comparability of case reports, therapy recommendations a. o.

[The use of inhalation tests for the diagnostick of chronic bronchitis in children (author's transl)]. / Die Anwendbarkeit von Inhalationstests in der Diagnostik der chronischen Bronchitis bei Kindern

In chronic non-specific lung diseases (CNSLD) an increased bronchial reaction to histamine aerosol inhalation is already well known. It was decided then to study the reactivity of bronchi to histamine inhalation in children within the epidemiological investigation on the influence of air pollution on the respiratory system of children. The aim of the study was to determine how in healthy population of children, living only in differently polluted environments, the frequency of the positive tests correlates with history of lung diseases, some pathological symptoms, level of air pollution etc. Results of the inhalation tests were also compared with other functional results of respiratory system, like: spirometrical, pneumo-tachographical, body-plethysmographical measurements, tests of mechanics of respiration, determination of lung transfer factor for CO etc. Numerous other laboratory determinations (level of alpha-antitrypsine, and x-ray examinations) were also performed and compared with the inhalation tests. In spite of expectations in the so called epidemiological "positives" as absolute lack of reaction to histamine was observed more frequently. Children with initial airways resistances were also weeker reacting to histamine provocation. Some parameters of lung function in children with hyperreactivity to histamine proved to be initially somewhat worse. The authors assume that some environmental factors may influence by occurrence the reactivity of air-ways provocation by inhalation. The need of general agreement and unification for the technique and interpretation of provocation tests was stressed out. The usefulness of the application of inhalatory tests in epidemiological studies on healthy populations needs further discussion.