[Morbidity and mortality from obstructive lung disease among Norwegian children]

From 1980 through 1986 hospitalization of children because of obstructive airways disease has increased in the ten Norwegian counties studied. Most of the increase related to acute bronchiolitis and bronchitis among children under five years of age. The hospitalization rate is greater in urban than in rural areas, and greatest in Oslo, the capital of Norway. From 1980 through 1988, the national sale of inhaled beta 2-agonists has increased two-fold, and of local steroids for inhalation ten-fold. Mortality from obstructive airways disease has decreased from 1960 through 1987, mostly in children below five years of age. Mortality from bronchial asthma in children below 15 years has remained unchanged.