Comparison of adenosine 5'-monophosphate and methacholine for the differentiation of asthma from chronic airway diseases with the use of the auscultative method in very young children.

Methacholine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate bronchial challenges were performed in 54 young children--39 with asthma and 15 with other chronic airway diseases (CADs), with the use of the auscultative method. Children with asthma were sensitive to both methacholine and adenosine; children with CAD responded only to methacholine. We conclude that bronchial challenge with adenosine can help differentiate asthma from CAD in young children.