The epidemiology of selected chronic childhood health conditions

Abstract

The chronic illnesses of childhood as a whole show similar trends in rates of incidence and prevalence; within this general class, subgroups of the illnesses have distinct epidemiological characteristics and different histories of response to improvements in medical technology. This article selects 11 disorders as representative of the large class of childhood chronic illnesses. It reviews trends in the contribution of these illnesses to the overall morbidity and mortality rates among children. The current survival patterns for children with these illnesses are detailed in light of the probable demands generated for health care providers by similar patterns of survival. It is likely that these children will place heavy demands on the health care system for the foreseeable future. Epidemiological trends and improvements in survival patterns associated with these illnesses raise perplexing questions of resource allocation. New knowledge is needed to address emerging problems.