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Published on: November 4, 2010
[Pediatric asthma hospitalization in Chile: 2001-2014]
Ana María Herrera1, Gabriel Cavada Ch2, Jaime Mañalich M3
1Clínica Santa María, Chile.
Insights
Childhood asthma hospitalizations in Chile have doubled between 2001 and 2014. The current rate is 7.8 per 10,000 children aged 5-15, highlighting a significant increase in pediatric asthma crises.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Bronchial asthma is a leading chronic childhood illness.
- Asthma crises frequently lead to pediatric hospitalizations.
- The scope of this issue in Chile remained undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the asthma hospitalization rate in Chilean children aged 5-15.
- To analyze the trends in these hospitalization rates from 2001 to 2014.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Hospitalization Discharge Registry (DEIS) and National Institute of Statistics (INE).
- Calculated asthma hospitalization rates for children aged 5-15.
- Examined rate evolution over a 14-year period (2001-2014).
Main Results:
- Asthma hospitalization rates significantly increased from 3.8 to 7.8 per 10,000 inhabitants.
- The average age of hospitalized children was 8.5 years.
- Male predominance (57.58%) and a mean hospital stay of 3 days were observed.
Conclusions:
- The asthma hospitalization rate in Chilean children (5-15 years) is 7.8 per 10,000 inhabitants.
- A doubling of this rate occurred over the 14-year study period.
- This indicates a substantial rise in pediatric asthma-related hospitalizations in Chile.
Abstract:
Bronchial asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease in children. Every year an important number of asthmatic children is hospitalized for asthma crisis. The magnitude of this problem in Chile is unknown.
Objective:
To evaluated the asthma hospitalization rate in 5-15 year-old children and evaluate their evolution.
Patients And Method:
We calculate the asthma hospitalization rate in children based on data from the National Hospitalization Discharge Registry from the Statistics and Health Information Department of the Ministry of Health (DEIS) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE). We evaluate the evolution of these rates from 2001 to 2014.
Results:
We observed a significant increase in the asthma hospitalization rates in children from 3,8 for 10.000 inhabitants in 2001 to 7,8 for 10.000 inhabitants in 2014. The average age was 8,5 years ± 2,7. Male gender was predominant (57,58%) with a mean length of stay of 3 days (range 1-12).
Conclusions:
The actual asthma hospitalization rate in Chile is 7,8 for 10.000 inhabitants for children 5 to 15 years old, with a double increase in this rate during the 14 year period analyzed.
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