Hart J T
J R Coll Gen Pract. 1986 Feb;36(283):78-81.
Literature on morbidity and mortality from childhood asthma is reviewed, and data presented from a geographically defined population showing a cumulative prevalence of 25% for chronic or recurrent reversible airways obstruction in 263 children aged between five and 16 years. In 47% of these children, asthma was diagnosed when they were under the age of five years. Risks of iatrogenic damage from overdiagnosis and overtreatment are discussed. The principal objective of management of childhood asthma in general practice should not be the prevention of deaths, which now occur at rates of between two and 25 per million people, but to help children with minor asthma to conserve respiratory function and become normal adults.
本文回顾了有关儿童哮喘发病率和死亡率的文献，并展示了来自特定地理区域人群的数据，该数据显示，在263名5至16岁的儿童中，慢性或复发性可逆性气道阻塞的累积患病率为25%。在这些儿童中，47%在5岁之前被诊断出患有哮喘。文中讨论了过度诊断和过度治疗导致医源性损害的风险。在全科医疗中，儿童哮喘管理的主要目标不应是预防死亡（目前死亡率为每百万人中有2至25人死亡），而应是帮助轻度哮喘儿童保持呼吸功能并成长为正常成年人。
