A Review of Asthma Admissions and Deaths at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from 1968 to 1985: A Sequel to a Previous Review from 1935 to 1968

Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic lung disorder in the United States affecting two to five million children and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. The number of deaths related to asthma may also be increasing. Asthma admissions and deaths at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP) were reviewed and compared with asthma deaths and hospital admissions for all ages in metropolitan Pittsburgh from 1968 through 1985. CHP hospital admissions for asthma increased from 6% of medical hospital admissions in the 1960s to 10% in the 1980s, despite the fact that metropolitan Pittsburgh's population has decreased. Only 1 asthma death has occurred at CHP during this period. Thus, an increase in pediatric hospital admissions was not accompanied by an increase in asthma deaths.