Changing patterns of asthma hospitalization among children: 1979 to 1987

The National Hospital Discharge Survey has revealed a disturbing increase in the number of children hospitalized for asthma. During the period from 1979 to 1987, asthma-related hospitalizations for children under 17 years of age rose an average of 4.5 percent per year. The hospitalization rate was highest for younger children; an annual increase of 5.0 percent was observed for children 4 years and under, in contrast with the 2.9 percent annual rise for those from 5 to 17 years. Blacks suffered an increase 1.8 times that of whites. The reason for the increase in asthma-related hospitalizations is not known. It seems that it is not due to a greater likelihood to diagnosing asthma, rather than bronchitis. If this were the case, the rise in asthma hospitalizations should be accompanied by a reduction in the hospitalizations for bronchitis. This was not the case; hospitalizations due to bronchitis have not declined. Some of the increased hospitalization rate may be due, however, to an increased recognition among physicians of the value of treating younger children with asthma. It is also possible that environmental pollutants may play a role. Although the total suspended particulates in the air has decreased over the last decade, there are no data specifically on particulates less than 10 microns in diameter, which are most significant for lower respiratory tract disease. It is not known whether similar increases in asthma are occurring in other nations, nor is it known what further health problems will ensue as this group of children grow older. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)