[Assessment of lung function in asthmatic children during a stay on the North Sea coast (author's transl)].

In a group of 40 asthmatic children, the following lung function parameters were measured during symptom free period: functional residual capacity (FRC); vital capacity (VC); total lung capacity (TLC); total pulmonary flow resistance (R1) and dynamic lung compliance (C1dyn). All the children were examined during their stay on Norderney (an island in the North Sea). The mean values of all measured lung volumes were significantly larger than the predicted values (p < 0.001), the mean value of R1 corresponded to the predicted one whereas the mean value of C1dyn was significantly smaller (p < 0.001), most of the individual values being within the normal range. After inhalation of Orciprenaline the mean value of R1 was significantly smaller than the initial value (about 15%; p < 0.001), whereas the lung volumes as well as C1 dyn were still unchanged. The influence of Orciprenaline on R1 and was only temporary and was reproducible 24 h later. Ther low mean value of C1 cyn was independent of the length of stay on Norderney. The reasons for this phenomena are discussed: obstructions and/or occlusions in the smallest airways seem to be the most important factor, uninfluenced by beta-2-mimetic drugs.