Morbidity from 5 to 10 years

The prevalence and incidence of illness was examined in a birth cohort of Christchurch children studied during the age range of 5-10 years. At this age, children had an average of 12 consultations with family doctors; 26% were admitted to hospital and 53% made one or more attendances at hospital outpatient departments. The majority of general practitioner contacts involved five groups of conditions: respiratory illness; integumental lesion; accidents; gastrointestinal conditions; and hearing problems. Hospital admissions were dominated by five types of admission: respiratory illness; accidents; gastrointestinal conditions; genito-urinary problems; musculoskeletal problems. More than two-thirds of outpatient attendances were accounted for by accidents, respiratory illness, musculoskeletal problems, vision problems, and hearing problems. Trends in rates of medical consultation for accidents and respiratory illness during the period from birth to 10 years are described and the implications of the findings are discussed.