Chronic pathology in 2 pediatric clinics

Abstract

An attempt was made to evaluate the frequency of the different diseases in a given population and health area so as to establish health policy programs. A method of comparison of results was used for two pediatric clinics in two health centers, and the frequency of the different chronic diseases in the overall children population attending both centers (asthma, urinary tract infections, gastroesophageal reflux, febrile seizures, psychomotor retardation and heart diseases) was evaluated. The results of the study were similar for both clinics and also to those by other authors of comparable assessments, except for gastroesophageal reflux. Asthma and urinary tract infection had frequencies ranging from 4.3 to 5% and from 4.15 to 5%, respectively. It should also be remarked that 29% of children with esophageal reflux in our sample had episodes of urinary tract infection.