Alpha-1 antitrypsin levels and prevalence of Pi variant phenotypes in asthmatic children.

A total of 151 children with severe atopic bronchial asthma were screened for AAT levels by the STIC and RID methods. They were also phenotyped by the method of acid starch electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The results were compared with those in a like control age group of children without known pulmonary problems. Both groups revealed similar incidences of AAT deficiency and 3% phenotype Z variants. The children with steroid-dependent severe asthma had a greater proportion of Z heterozygote variants than the non-steroid-dependent asthmatic and control population.