RÉSUMÉ
Objective To probe into the medical cost and economic losses of childhood asthma. Methods Total 200 of asthmatic children aged 2~16 yrs were diagnosed according to asthma OPD and enrolled in this study from the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University during 2005—2006. All of them were taken the epidemiologic and economic survey. Results Among them, 184 were from kindergartens, primary or middle schools. There were totally 7 629 days for the asthmatic children absent from class per year because of illness. The overall direct economic loss was RMB 798 467.00 and indirect loss was RMB 210 997.80 yearly. Conclusion Asthma not only brings about great impact on children physical and mental health, but also exerts massive economic loss on the society and families. The whole society and medical workers should pay more attention to it and try to reduce its harm to a relatively low level.