Crying-induced bronchospasm in childhood asthma: response to nebulized metaproterenol 5% and sodium cromoglycate 1%.

Five asthmatic children (2 to 5 years) with persistent crying-induced bronchospasm refractory to concomitant oral theophylline and metaproterenol for 4 weeks were selected for an 8-week uncontrolled study with nebulized metaproterenol 5% and sodium cromoglycate 1%. All five patients had reduction in both crying and non-crying-related asthma. Three patients had reduction in crying behavior. Nebulized metaproterenol and sodium cromoglycate may be effective in treating crying-induced bronchospasm refractory to oral bronchodilators.