Abstract

General practice records of 1058 children were studied to determine the incidence, prevalence, natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of wheezing presenting in the first 21 years of life. Up to 7 years of age, boys were more likely to present with wheeze and to have recurrent episodes. Later there was a higher incidence in girls and a substantial rate of remission among boys, both contributing to changes in prevalence during later childhood and adolescence. All those diagnosed as asthmatic and two thirds of those with recurrent wheeze received bronchodilator treatment.