Recente veranderingen in de prevalentie van astma bij kinderen

- Over the past decennia, the prevalence of asthma in children has increased worldwide. The increase in prevalence of asthma symptoms has been estimated at around 5 per year in various countries.

- Possible explanations are an increasing level of awareness in doctors and patients and changes in lifestyle in affluent societies.

- Recent data suggest that this trend has been levelling off. Recent data also suggest that in the Netherlands the situation has been stabilizing, indeed there has been a decrease in the prevalence of asthma in children.

- The next few years will reveal whether this situation will remain stable or the trend will show a further decrease.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006;150:233-6