Life events and childhood morbidity: a prospective study

The relationship between family life events and rates of childhood morbidity was studied prospectively in a birth cohort of New Zealand children during the period from ages 1 to 4 years. Family life events were associated with increased risk of medical consultation and hospital attendance for illness of the lower respiratory tract, gastroenteritis, accidents, burns, scalds, and accidental poisoning. In addition, children from families experiencing large numbers of life events had an increased risk of hospital admission for suspect or inadequate care. The correlation between life events and rates of child morbidity persisted when a series of measures of family social and economic background was taken into account statistically. Possible explanations of the role of family life events in the development of childhood morbidity are discussed.