09.04.11
Peak in asthma hospital admissions among young children in September, provisional figures show
Hospital admissions for asthma among children aged 16 and under were 58 per cent higher in September 2009 than the monthly average for the year, provisional figures released by the NHS Information Centre show.
The same pattern occurred in September 2008 when there was a 102 per cent increase compared to the monthly average for between May 2009 and April 2009.
A sharp rise in admissions of children aged five and under caused the September peak in England within the 16 and under age group.
Between May 2009 and April 2010, the provisional monthly average for all asthma admissions was 5,660, while the provisional monthly average for the 16 and under age group was 2,320 (accounting for 41 per cent of all admissions).
But in September 2009 there were 6,900 admissions for asthma, 3,670 of which (53 per cent) were for children aged 16 and under and 2,090 of which (30 per cent) were for children aged five and under.
The same pattern occurred in September 2008, when admissions for the 16 and under age group were 102 per cent higher than the monthly average for the year.
Between May 2008 and April 2009 the provisional monthly average for all asthma admissions was 5,920, while the provisional monthly average for the 16 and under age group was 2,380 (accounting for 40 per cent of all admissions).
But in September 2008 there were 8,370 admissions for asthma; of these 4,820 (58 per cent) were for children aged 16 and under and 2,780 (33 per cent) were for children aged five and under.
The September pattern is not replicated in those aged 17 and over, with admissions for older age groups mostly peaking in October or December. Admissions for the condition generally reduce as age increases.
The figures are part of a special topic from Provisional Monthly HES for Admitted Patient Care (www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/provisionalmonthlyhes) which is published monthly to provide up-to-date information and describe recent trends. Information is provisional, has not been subject to final checks and revisions ahead of annual publication and can be subject to change. Previous provisional data has been slightly lower than the final data published in annual publications.
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: “Although provisional, these figures provide a useful insight at a national level into the admissions passing through our hospital doors in England, and also into possible shifts in trend during the different seasons.
“These figures appear to highlight September as a hotspot for asthma admissions among our very young children, which may prompt possible investigation as to why this may be.”
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