Increase in childhood asthma admissions in an urbanising population.
OBJECTIVE
In South Africa, rapid urbanisation has increased the risk of childhood asthma. This report reviews the pattern of asthma admissions to the Paediatric Department of Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, South Africa, from 1986 to 1996.


METHODS
Inpatient admission data were reviewed for 1986-1996. A detailed analysis of the records of asthma patients admitted between 1992 and 1996 was done. Outpatient data were reviewed from 1992.


METHODS
Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, situated on the border of the Gauteng and North West provinces of South Africa and serving a large black population in various stages of urbanisation.


METHODS
Trends in admission numbers and demographic characteristics.


RESULTS
Asthma admissions were 2.5 times higher in 1996 than 1986. The greatest increase in admissions was in the 1-47-month age group. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. More patients came from urban than from rural areas. Admissions peaked during the summer. Re-admissions occurred most frequently within 3 months of the first admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Paediatric asthma admissions have shown an increase in the past decade. This may be associated with changes in the environment of the community. There is a need for preventive programmes for asthma at community and national level.
MacIntyre
U E
UE
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Medical University of Southern Africa, PO Box 168, Medunsa, 0204.
de Villiers
F P
FP
Owange-Iraka
J W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014507:Urbanization / Q000639:trends*