Haemorrheological changes in asthmatic Nigerian children.

A total of 73 children, 25 asthmatic patients in stable state, 23 in crisis state and 25 controls, nonasthmatic healthy individuals, age matched were studied. Relative plasma viscosity (RPV) and whole blood viscosity (RWBV) and fibrinogen levels were estimated. There were no significant differences between the controls and the stable asthmatic patients in any of the parameters measured. The fibrinogen concentration (p < 0.025), RPV and RWBV (p < 0.02) in asthmatic patients during an attack were significantly different from the respective values in the controls and the stable asthmatic patients. We conclude that hyperviscosity and hyperfibrinogenaemia may contribute to bronchitis and tissue damage during an asthmatic attack.