title: Seasonal variation and time trends in childhood asthma in England and Wales 1975-81.
abstract: In England and Wales hospital admissions for childhood asthma almost trebled over the period 1975-81. This may have reflected a true increase in the incidence of acute asthma, a swing from primary to hospital care, or both. The trend was not due to a change in diagnostic fashion. Monthly admissions showed a pronounced seasonal variation with fewest admissions in winter, rising in spring and early summer to peak in the autumn. A deep admission trough was present in August. The monthly admission profile was very similar throughout England and Wales, suggesting that major "trigger" factors were responsible.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000639:trends*; D012621:Seasons; D014852:Wales