EFFECT OF SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE ON THE PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW-RATE IN CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA

Sodium cromoglycate (SCG) was given daily for 24 weeks to 13 children with bronchial asthma, and its acute and chronic actions were determin ed. SCG was found to increase the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) imm ediately after inhalation in 12 patients, an increase frequently obser ved in patients whose PEFR was less than 50% of the expected value. In addition, the mean PEFR was increased by 17% after the study compared with that deduced from the baseline before the study, and the differe nce was statistically significant. These results indicate both acute a nd chronic antagonistic effects of SCG for bronchoconstriction in chil dhood asthma.