Incidence of exercise-induced asthma in children.

The incidence of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) was studied in 134 asthmatic and 102 nonasthmatic atopic children and compared to that in 56 nonatopic children. Pulmonary function tests measuring forced vital capacity (FVC) and 1-sec forced expiratory volume (FEV1) were performed on each child prior to and serially for 20 min following free running exercise. The incidences of EIA among the asthmatic and atopic nonasthmatic children were 63% and 41%, respectively. This phenomenon is widespread among allergic children and cannot be accurately predicted from the history. A simple and easily performed outpatient procedure is described for the diagnosis of EIA.