Background: The acute asthma crisis in emergency services of second level hospitals represents one of the highest levels of intake, generating a high number of hospitalizations.
Objective: To determine, in emergency service medical attention, the frequency and direct cost related generated by the hospitalization of pediatric patients with acute asthma crisis in second level attention of Social Security Service (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, IMSS).
Materials and method: In 2000, a cohort study was done on pediatric patients with acute asthma crisis in a second level hospital.
Results: In the cohort of 2,277 patients, the response to treatment was adequate in 94% (2,141) of the cases, the consultation predominated in September (13.6%) and October (12%). The average patient was 3 years old and the patients were predominantly male (63.4%). The direct cost generated from attending these patients totaled to 342,989.80 USD, the monthly cost average was of 28,582.48 USD.
Discussion: The use of health services is an indirect indicator of morbidity, also referred to as the increase of hospitalization and rehospitalization in children between 0 and 4 years old. The knowledge of leading factors, the education on long term control, and the handling of initial rescue in asthmatic patients are modifiable factors that can help reduce the costs generated by the hospitalization of acute cases of this disease.