Asthma top cause of child hospital stays

Washington -- Asthma and other breathing disorders are the top reason young children in the United States are admitted to the hospital.

A report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said asthma alone accounted for more than 95,000 respiratory admissions through the emergency room in 2004, the agency said Friday in a release.

The AHRQ said respiratory conditions accounted for almost 40 percent of hospital admissions through the emergency room for infants and toddlers. For children ages 5 to 9, respiratory illnesses accounted for 26 percent of admissions through the emergency room.

Injuries were the leading reason for admission among children ages 10 to 17.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.