[Impact of particulate matter with diameter of less than 2.5 microns [PM2.5] on daily hospital admissions in 0-10-year-olds in Madrid. Spain [2003-2005]].
BACKGROUND
The last report of World Health Organization's Air Quality Guidelines establishes a value of 10 microg/m3 as the annual mean particulate PM2.5 concentration. However, in large cities such as Madrid, this value is doubled and consequently an association between PM2.5 values and effects on morbidity and mortality is to be expected.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze and quantify the influence of PM2.5 concentrations on daily hospital admissions in 0-10-year-olds in Madrid.


METHODS
We analyzed the daily number of emergency hospital admissions for all causes (ICD-10: A00-R99) except traumatisms to the Gregorio Marañón General University Hospital in Madrid from 2003 to 2005. The age groups analyzed were 0-10 years and 0-1 year. A longitudinal ecological analysis of time series was performed using Poisson Regression Models. Seasonalities, trends, days of the week, and autocorrelation between morbidity series were controlled. Influenza epidemics, air pollutants, and noise and pollen concentrations were used as control variables.


RESULTS
The only primary pollutant found to be statistically significant in the models was PM2.5 concentration. The relative risk associated with an increase of 10 microg/m3 in PM2.5 concentration was 1.03 (95%CI 1.00-1.05) for children less than 10 years old and 1.03 (95%CI 1.00-1.06) for infants less than 1 year old. The attributable risk was 2.7 and 2.8%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
PM2.5 concentrations are an excellent indicator of the health impact of primary pollutants in Madrid. The results obtained demonstrate the need to implement measures to reduce PM2.5 concentrations in the atmosphere in large cities.
Linares
Cristina
C
CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, España.
Díaz
Julio
J
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health
D052638:Particulate Matter