[Recent changes in the prevalence of asthma in children].
Over the past decennia, the prevalence of asthma in children has increased worldwide. The increase in prevalence of asthma symptoms has been estimated at around 5% per year in various countries. Possible explanations are an increasing level of awareness in doctors and patients and changes in lifestyle in affluent societies. Recent data suggest that this trend has been levelling off. Recent data also suggest that in The Netherlands the situation has been stabilizing, indeed there has been a decrease in the prevalence of asthma in children. The next few years will reveal whether this situation will remain stable or the trend will show a further decrease.
Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, Centrum voor Preventieen Zorgonderzoek, Postbus 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven. jet.smit@rivm.nl
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D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence