Clinical, allergometric and spirometric characteristics of all the children included in the study.

Patients were divided into Asthma group and RC group, detected at enrolment. Allergic sensitization was reported for the main inhalant allergens: grass pollens (Phleum p.) and house dust mites (D. pteronyssinus) both as specific IgE and Skin Prick test. Main spirometric parameters were expressed as rate of predicted values (%). Δ FEV1 is the difference in FEV1 values before and after salbutamol administration.