Profile of pediatric admissions with diagnosis of asthma at the San Pablo Hospital
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Published on: November 5, 2010
P M Mayol1, J R Rodríguez Santana, J E Sinfontes
1Department of Pediatrics, San Pablo Hospital, Puerto Rico.
Insights
Pediatric asthma hospitalizations in Puerto Rico are common, comprising 29% of admissions. Current criteria for admitting children with asthma rely on clinical evaluation, not pulmonary function tests.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Rising morbidity and mortality rates underscore the growing concern of bronchial asthma.
- Puerto Rico faces a significant asthma challenge, necessitating focused research on pediatric patient profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile pediatric patients admitted for asthma in a Puerto Rican community hospital.
- To establish a foundation for future studies on risk factors and acute care management for childhood asthma in Puerto Rico.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 119 pediatric asthma admissions over 90 days (August-November 1990).
- Data collection included demographic, laboratory, and physiological variables.
- Asthma diagnosis confirmed via ICD-9 code 493.
Main Results:
- Asthma admissions accounted for 29% of total hospital admissions.
- Average hospital stay was 4.07 days; average patient age was 4.62 years.
- Pulmonary function tests were not used for admission decisions.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalization for pediatric asthma in this setting is primarily based on clinical assessment.
- Age-related limitations exist for using pulmonary function tests or peak expiratory flow measurements in young children.
- Development of age-specific criteria for hospitalization of pediatric asthma patients is recommended.
Abstract:
Bronchial Asthma morbidity and mortality appear to be increasing. In our continuing endeavor to investigate the asthma problem in Puerto Rico, we describe the profile or group of pediatric patients admitted with asthma during a three month period of time to a community hospital. This is intended to be an initial step in developing a more detailed study to evaluate risk factors for hospitalization and need for acute care management of children with asthma in Puerto Rico. We evaluated a group of patients admitted with the diagnosis of asthma (ICD-9 code 493). One hundred and nineteen admissions between August 22 and November 21, 1990 (ninety days) were reviewed retrospectively. Data extracted from the records included demographic, laboratory and physiological variables. Results were similar for both sexes. Asthma admissions represented 29 percent of the total admissions with a hospital stay of 4.07 +/- 1.09 days and age of 4.62 +/- 4.29 years (mean +/- SD). No pulmonary function tests were performed as criteria for admission. In conclusion, this study suggests that the need for hospitalization in children with asthma in a community hospital is based on clinical evaluation. The use of pulmonary function tests, peak expiratory flow measurement or both may not be suitable for the majority of children admitted with asthma due to age. Other criteria for younger children with asthma need to be developed.
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