Bronchodilator Responsiveness in Normal Infants and Young Children

Abstract

Purpose of the Study. To evaluate the baseline airway responsiveness to a bronchodilator, albuterol, in normal infants and young children using changes in maximal expiratory flow rates. Study Population. In 2 major children’s hospitals, healthy infants <3 years old were recruited for the study. Exclusion criteria included preterm (<36 weeks’ gestation) birth, congenital malformations, or 2 or more episodes of recurrent wheezing with lower respiratory tract infections. Infants who had chronic respiratory conditions were also excluded. At the time of the study, they had to be free of any respiratory tract symptoms and have not had a cold for the previous 2 weeks. Methods. Questions were asked about prenatal and postnatal smoke exposure. Infant pulmonary function testing was performed at each institution using technologies well-established at each institution (Columbus Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, and James …