Respiratory health services use among children and adolescents in Ontario, Canada: A population-based study of trends from 2006-2016

Abstract

Background: Respiratory diseases are a major cause of global child and adolescent morbidity and mortality. Population-based surveillance of health services use can be used to quantify the burden of respiratory disease over time.

Objective: To describe trends in respiratory health services use among children and adolescents living in Ontario, Canada.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study using health administrative data. We estimated rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in Ontario residents aged 0-19 years from 2006-2016.

Results: From 2006-2016, the overall rate of respiratory ED visits increased by 19% (5.50 to 6.54 per 100), while the rate of respiratory hospital admissions decreased by 10% (3.74 to 3.36 per 1000). In 2016, respiratory conditions were the leading cause for ED visits in children under 1 year (20.91 per 100) and 1-4 years of age (12.68 per 100). Respiratory conditions were also the leading cause for hospital admissions in children aged 1-4 years (7.17 per 1000). From 2006-2016, bronchiolitis was consistently a leading cause for respiratory ED visits and hospital admissions in children under 1 year of age. In the same period, asthma was consistently a leading cause for respiratory ED visits and hospital admissions in children aged 5-14 years.

Conclusions: Among children and adolescents living in Ontario, Canada, the rate of respiratory ED visits increased from 2006-2016, while the rate of respiratory hospital admissions decreased. Bronchiolitis and asthma were consistently leading causes for respiratory health services use among infant and school-age children, respectively.