OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of Phadiatop test and specific IgE test in the diagnosis of children with asthma. METHODS: Using Flo ELISA, Phadiatop, specific IgE and total IgE of serum were determined in 153 cases with asthma and 40 cases with bronchopneumonia. RESULTS: The positive rates of Phadiatop and specific IgE in the asthma group (66.01% and 59.48%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the bronchopneumonia group (12.5% and 7.5%, respectively)(P<0.05). Phadiatop test had a sensitivity of 0.66 and a specificity of 0.88, and sIgE test to dust mite had a sensitivity of 0.59 and a specificity of 0.93 respectively. There was a concordant result of 94% between the two tests. CONCLUSIONS: Phadiatop test is a useful screening test for the diagnosis of asthma. sIgE test is further needed for the Phadiatop test positive cases.