Cold air challenge of airway reactivity in children: A correlation of transcutaneously measured oxygen tension and conventional lung functions

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Abstract
For pharmacological challenges, a correlation between the induced changes of the transcutaneously measured oxygen tension (Ptc) and of conventional pulmonary function tests (PFTs) has been documented. We performed a 4-minute cold air challenge (CACh) in 17 children with bronchial asthma under continuous monitoring of Ptc, and correlated observed changes with CACh-induced alterations of conventional PFTs. Ptc decreased significantly with CACh (from 86 ± 10 mmHg to 66 ± 14 mmHg, P < 0.001), but returned to near-baseline within the next 30 minutes. PFTs changed with a similar pattern; the closest correlation was found between the CACh-induced fall of Ptc and Delta-FEV1 (r = 0.833, P < 0.001). Changes of FVC, PEF, and Vmax50 correlated significantly as well. Ptc can complement or substitute for conventional PFTs in assessing the response to CACh in children. Pediatr Pulmonol 1991; 10:273–277.