Mortality and morbidity from respiratory diseases in childhood in The Netherlands, 1980-1987.

National mortality and hospitalization data from the Netherlands were analysed for asthma (International Classification of Diseases) (ICD 493), acute bronchi(oli)tis (ICD 466), pneumonia and influenza (ICD 480-487), and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (ICD 490 + 491 + 492 + 496) in children aged 0-14 yrs for 1980-1987. No trends were seen in the mortality in age groups 0-4 yrs and 5-14 yrs, which actually concerned small numbers. In general a tendency towards increasing hospital admission rates for respiratory diseases was observed in both sexes in age groups 0-4 yrs and 5-9 yrs but not in age group 10-14 yrs, and significant increases were found for asthma in males and females aged 0-4 yrs and in males aged 5-9 yrs, and for acute bronchitis in females aged 5-9 yrs. Hospital admission rates in the Netherlands for asthma appeared to be low compared to other countries. The average length of stay, however, for both asthma and the other respiratory diseases was substantial though declining. Clinical information is required on possible causal factors of the apparent need for hospitalization for reactive airway disorders in young children, and on the management of asthma in particular.