The total eosinophil count in asthmatic children

The diurnal variation in total eosinophil count (TEC) in asthmatic children not on medications or on theophylline-containing bronchodilators orally every 6 hr is similar to that reported in normal subjects, with a decrease in TEC in the morning and an increase in the evening. Asthmatic children taking prednisone at 8:00 a.m. on alternate days have diurnal variations in TEC on the “day off” prednisone similar to those of normal children. On the “day on” prednisone, administered either on a daily or alternate-day basis, TECs approach zero 4 to 8 hr after prednisone is taken. The TEC then increases in the evening as it does in children not taking prednisone.