Oral tartrazine challenge in childhood asthma: effect on bronchial reactivity

Abstract

Ten asthmatic children who gave a history of cough or wheeze after orange drinks, were tested for tartrazine sensitivity. On separate days, either oral tartrazine (1 mg) or a placebo capsule were administered double blind. Bronchial reactivity was measured before, 30 and 60 min after ingestion by means of a histamine‐inhalation challenge test. There was no change in baseline lung function after tartrazine, but histamine sensitivity (PC₂₀) increased significantly in four of the children. No response was obtained to a larger dose of tartrazine (10 mg) in four of the non‐responders. Alteration in the bronchial reactivity after an oral challenge, appears to be a sensitive means of detecting tartrazine sensitivity.