WHEEZE IN PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN - WHO IS FOLLOWED-UP, WHO IS TREATED ANDWHO IS HOSPITALIZED

This study determined the proportions of children less than or equal t o 5 yrs of age with reported wheeze who were undergoing medical follow -up, receiving anti-asthma medication, or admitted to hospital; and in vestigated factors important in determining which children would recei ve these treatments. The symptomatic children represented a wheeze pre valence of 16% of the study sample of 1,422 children. The cumulative i ncidence of treatment and hospitalization and point prevalence of curr ent medical follow-up were determined using a parent-answered postal q uestionnaire study of a population-based random sample of 222 children . Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for wheeze severity, environmental, social, familial and demo graphic Factors found to affect the likelih ood of these treatment end-points. Among 222 children with wheeze, 99 (35%) were under current medical review, 165 (75%) had received medica tion, and 48 (22%) reported being hospitalized. Current follow-up was more likely in girls (OR 2.22; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.12-4 38), with more than three attacks of wheeze in the last year (OR 17.44 ; 95% CI 532-58.3), or with a household pet (cat or dog) where inhalan ts were wheeze precipitants (OR 13.65; 95% CI 3.16-58.94). Treatment b ecame more likely in older children (OR 3.91; 95% CI 1.10-12.71), with inhalants as wheeze precipitants (OR 4.66; 95% CI 1.08-20.14) or with a household pet (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.04-5.03). Hospitalization was less likely with frequent wheeze (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12-0.77), but more lik ely if shortness of breath occurred with wheeze. Medical follow-up and treatment are related to wheeze severity and exposure to inhaled prec ipitants, whereas hospital admission occurred in children with attacks causing shortness of breath, and with decreasing frequency of attacks per year.