Observations on the seasonal variation of the most common acute pediatric diseases in the Helsinki area (Finland).

Seasonal variations in the incidence of the most common acute diseases in childhood during the inter-epidemic year 1978 were investigated using a sample of 7,068 walk-in patients attending. Aurora Hospital, Helsinki. At least seven out of the ten most common diseases were of infectious origin. Generally, boys and the younger groups were affected most often. The clearest seasonal difference in both sexes was observed in patients with gastroenteritis and otitis media. Among boys, there was also a marked fluctuation in the incidence of asthmatic bronchitis and asthma, pneumonia, and laryngitis, whereas, among girls, marked variations were observed only in urinary tract infections and acute upper respiratory infections. Children between 1 and 3 years of age appeared to be most prone to the common cold syndrome all the year round.