[The environment and the bronchospasm crisis].

Clinical data of 893 asthmatic crises treated in the Pediatric Emergencies Service of Hospital de "Nuestra Señora del Mar" (Barcelona) between January 1st 1983 and december, 31, 1984, have been examined. Age, sex, number of hospitalised cases related to the total emergencies have been analysed, and a correlation is established with atmospheric contamination, meteorological data and pollen levels. The highest incidence of bronchospastic processes has been observed in Autumn. No significant relation is observed between asthmatic attacks and meteorological data or pollen levels. During the highest contaminated days the number of asthmatic attacks does not increase, but there is a significant association between asthmatic crises in children over 3 years old and the SO2 level. Bronchospastic processes in children under 3 years old are influenced by temperature, february is the coldest month and the highest incidence occurs. These results must be considered with caution. Only the continuity of the study in next years can provide definitive conclusions.