Aim:
To study the levels of adrenal hormones and histamine in children with vasomotor rhinitis.

Material and methods:
Hormones secreted by the adrenal glands are active biological regulators of metabolism in the body. Research into the hormonal function of the adrenal glands is of great importance for studying the pathogenesis of certain allergic diseases. Spectrofluorometric blood examination for the presence of 11-OCS (sum total content of hydrocortisone and corticosterone) and histamine, and also examina¬tion of the urine for adrenaline and noradrenaline content were conducted in children suffering from vasomotor rhinitis.

Results:
The results obtained were statistically proces¬ses and considered from the aspect of dependence on the form of vasomotor rhinitis (allergic and nonallergic rhinitis) and age. Apparently healthy children (30) were examined biochemically for control. An increased content of the adrenal gland hor¬mones (11-OCS) was found to be present in the blood of children with vasomotor rhinitis. Histamine content was elevated only in children with an allergic rhinitis. Adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion increased with the advance of age, but was unchanged in rhinitis.

Conclusions:
Consequently, in this disease there was a functional reaction of the adrenal cortex, but no functional changes occurred in the medulla. An increa¬sed histamine content confirmed the allergic nature of the disease.