Pediatric Asthma: A Global Epidemic

The global prevalence, morbidity and mortality related to childhood asthma among children has increased significantly over the last 40 years. Although asthma is recognized as the most common chronic disease in children, issues of underdiagnosis and undertreatment persist. There are substantial global variations in the prevalence of asthma symptoms in children, with up to 13-fold differences between countries. The rising number of hospital admissions for asthma may reflect an increase in asthma severity, poor disease management and/or the effect of poverty.

Annals of Global Health. 2019; 85(1): 6. Published online 2019 Jan 22. doi: 10.5334/aogh.2416