Characteristics of children hospitalized with severe asthma in southern Brazil <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Authors

  • Tiago Neves Veras Hospital Infantil Jeser Amarante Faria
  • Thiago Mamôru Sakae Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Keywords:

ASTHMA/epidemiology, HOSPITALIZATION/statistics & numerical data, CHILD, INFANT, PRESCHOOL, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDIES, RETROSPECTIVE STUDIES.

Abstract

AIMS: To describe the cases of pediatric hospitalizations of asthma exacerbations, discussing clinical and epidemiological factors involved. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study of hospitalizations in patients younger than 18 years, between January and December of 2009, in a hospital of the Southern Region of Brazil. Characteristics of the patients, hospitalization data, medications used, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-four children were hospitalized with severe asthma, with median age 3.2 years (standard deviation 2.8), of whom 59.5% were male. We observed that 12% of children used regular therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and 21% had outpatient follow-up with a pediatric pneumologist. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days (standard deviation 7.8), with a maximun of 50 days. Most hospitalizations occurred in August (28.4%). There was one death in the study period. CONCLUSIONS: There was a predominance of hospitalizations in children under three years and the incidence was increased in winter. Low rates of outpatient regular follow-up and use of preventive medication were found. Preventive therapy and educational programs must be encouraged to decrease the incidence of pediatric hospitalization for asthma in Brazil.

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Author Biographies

Tiago Neves Veras, Hospital Infantil Jeser Amarante Faria

Médico Pneumologista Pediátrico

Thiago Mamôru Sakae, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Médico. Mestre em Saúde Pública. Professor de Epidemiologia na Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina.

Published

2010-10-19

How to Cite

Veras, T. N., & Sakae, T. M. (2010). Characteristics of children hospitalized with severe asthma in southern Brazil <b>[Abstract in English]</b>. Scientia Medica, 20(3), 223–227. Retrieved from https://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/scientiamedica/article/view/6578

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Original Articles

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