2.1 | Data analysis
Children were grouped by age: less 36 months (infant asthma), 3 to 5
years, 6 to 11 years, and over 12 years. Management of exacerbation
prior to admission to emergency rooms were considered proper if patients
had repeatedly received high doses of beta-2 short-acting agonists (50
mg/kg per dose) with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 15 puffs of
salbutamol equivalent administered every 20 minutes during the first
hour or its equivalent dose by nebulized therapy. The management was
completed by oral corticosteroids at a dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg per day in
case of known severe persistent asthma or with a risk factor for severe
acute asthma or severe attack immediately or not responding within an
hour to the inhaled treatment. This was in accordance with the
recommendations of management of the asthma attack.
Management of the crisis was considered inappropriate when dosages were
below recommendations or if it included other treatments prescribed in
isolation (antibiotics, cough suppressants, inhaled corticosteroids,
physiotherapy respiratory or antihistamines), including use that is not
recommended. The children’s families were classified as having a low
economic level if the household income was equivalent to or lower than
the minimum monthly salary (MMS) in Mexico City ($5258.10 MXP/$265.30
USD). Hospitalizations were classified as short-term hospitalization
(less than 24 hours) or conventional hospitalization (more than 24
hours).