[Infantile asthma within a health area: the population affected and its characteristics].

OBJECTIVE

To discover the prevalence and the characteristics of the population group affected by infantile asthma and attended at a Health Centre.

DESIGN

Descriptive crossover study, conducted throughout 1991.

SETTING

Primary Care.

PATIENTS

Patients between 2 and 14 attending the Health Centre.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We identified 349 children suffering from asthma (9.6% of the child population). 206 (59%) were male and 143 (41%), female. 45% of these children had shown symptoms suggesting asthma before their first birthday; 74% before they were 3; and 90% before 7. Family histories of asthma existed in 72%, of allergic rhinitis in 45% and atopic dermatitis in 17%. Out of the asthmatic children, 58% had allergic rhinitis and 20% atopic dermatitis. As to severity, 55% suffered light asthma, 31% moderate asthma and the remaining 14%, severe asthma. 79% had follow-up control of their asthma at the Health Centre. The rest were controlled by professionals outside the Centre (allergologists, pneumologists, hospital paediatricians etc.). 70% of the asthmatic children were passive smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Infantile asthma has 9.6% prevalence among the children attending our Health Centre. These patients are generally cared for in Primary Care. Usually their symptoms have started in very early infancy.