DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF NASAL PROVOCATION CHALLENGE WITH ALLERGENS IN CHILDREN

A total of 106 children suffering from perennial rhinitis and/or asthm a, and all allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP), underwent nasal provocation challenge (NPC) with DP to determine the best method of diagnosis. Posterior rhinomanometry was uninterpretable in 17 pati ents and gave negative results in 31. Clinical scores for sneezing and rhinorrhea were more effective but did not diagnose the disorder in 1 1 children. However, nine of the 11 had significant increases in eosin ophil count in the late phase. Clinical scores and cytology were also useful for assessing whether NPC with allergens was positive in childr en. The feasibility and safety of NPC with DP are high for rhinitic an d stable asthmatic patients, but mild reactions may occur during the l ate phase.