Lung function improvement and airways inflammation reduction in asthmatic children after a rehabilitation program at moderate altitude

Background Rehabilitational programs at moderate altitude (1500‐2500 m) showed improvement of lung function and reduction in airways inflammation in asthmatic adults. Allergen avoidance was postulated as the major cause of these improvements. Methods Spirometries of 344 and fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurements (FeNO) of 124 asthmatic children and adolescents, staying in a rehabilitation hospital in Davos (1590 m) with at least 14 days between admission and discharge, were analyzed in association with atopic sensitization (skin‐prick testing and/or specific IgE), level of asthma control, and inhalative corticosteroid (ICS) dose. Results Pulmonary conditions improved significantly on average during the sojourn. Uncontrolled asthmatics benefited most with an absolute increase in predicted FEV1, MEF25, and MEF75 of 7.7%, 9.9%, and 12.7%, respectively (P