Parents are being warned to be more vigilant in managing their children's asthma following the release of a new report which shows more New Zealand children are being admitted to hospital for the disease.
The Massey University report found more than 6000 children under the age of 15 were hospitalised with asthma in 2016 - a 45% increase from 2002 statistics.
University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine deputy dean Associate Prof Jim Reid said many children grew out of asthma as they aged, but one in every nine adults was believed to be living with the disease.
New Zealand's high rates of asthma carried a significant cost burden - estimated to be more than $850million annually, including the loss in work productivity and the direct costs of medical treatment.
"New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world with around 70 people dying from the disease each year.
"Recent research shows the prevalence of asthma in New Zealand children is approximately 15%, with 11% of adults also affected."
It was estimated more than 521,000 New Zealanders needed medication for the disease.
"While we don't fully understand why the rates of asthma are so high among New Zealand adults and children, more needs to be done to get asthma under control."
Prof Reid said it was important to be aware of seasonal changes, with viral infections being one of the major asthma triggers.
"With the onset of cold and flu season, it is critical that adult asthmatics and parents watch out for asthma symptoms which may signal a potentially deadly attack."
Common triggers included a cold or virus, cigarette smoke, exposure to nitrogen dioxide from gas heaters and car exhausts, and indoor dampness or mould.
"As the temperature drops at this time of year, cold air can cause constriction of airways which is also a risk factor for asthmatics.
"It is important to maintain a temperature of around 20degC in the home."
Prof Reid said the key to getting the nation's asthma burden under control was a simple asthma control test which could be done at a pharmacy, doctor's surgery or online at asthmacontroltest.com
"The test gives you a measure of how significant the symptoms of asthma are in that patient.
"In studies we've done, we have found that people's perception of how in control they are of their own, or their children's asthma, is quite out of step with their actual results."
He said anyone who used their reliever inhaler more than three times a week needed to take the test and see their healthcare provider to get their asthma under control.
