Mr. Editor

We have read with great interest the article "Pediatric diseases with greater frequency in an international airport in Mexico" by Figueroa-Uribe A, et. al. where they show us the most registered diseases in medical attention in the emergency medical service of an international airport in Mexico. ⁽¹⁾ When analyzing the data shown, we realize that it is possible to compare the results shown in their study in the Peruvian territory, since there is evidence from the Dirección de Epidemiología of the Dirección Regional de Salud (DIRESA) - Amazonas⁽²⁾ which mentions a high prevalence of respiratory and digestive diseases, which are considered, as in the study conducted at the Mexican airport, to be more frequent.

However, it should be noted that the Peruvian report mentions that the most frequent pediatric diseases are those of respiratory origin, such as acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, bronchial obstructive syndrome and asthma, with acute diarrheal disease in second place. This is a worrying fact, since both conditions are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries. ^(2-6) With regard to acute respiratory diseases, as shown in a study conducted at the Centro Materno Infantil of Lima, the most prevalent are the common cold, heading the list, followed by acute pharyngitis and rhinopharyngitis; the study showed that these three respiratory pathologies had a prevalence of over 20% each, of the 4050 histories taken in the investigation. On the other hand, with regard to diseases of the digestive system, it is predominant to evaluate acute diarrheal disease, of which it is common to see at least 3 episodes in children per year. However, its importance is due to the fluid and electrolyte disorders and nutrient deprivation that this disease generates; in the Peruvian territory, a study carried out in the Hospital Regional de Lambayeque shows the etiology of this infection, finding that more than half of the acute diarrheas present an unknown etiology, followed in order of frequency are, those of parasitic, bacterial and viral origin, in that order; within these etiologies, the most important ones should be emphasized such as: Giardia lamblia (parasitic), Salmonella enteritidis (bacterial), Rotavirus and Adenovirus (viral).⁽³⁾ It is important to know about acute diarrheal disease in Peru, since as a country, we are among the first places of incidence and mortality of this disease, especially due to our child population is subjected to the predisposing factors in rural areas, such as exposure to contaminated food and water sources, so it is still important to maintain surveillance and to know the frequency and etiology with which this condition occurs. As evidenced in the Figueroa-Uribe A, et. al.⁽¹⁾ study, Peru also shows a high prevalence of these respiratory and digestive disorders, and as suggested by national scientific evidence, most of them are associated with the levels of poverty and neglect in our country, especially in rural areas, where despite the prevalence of the aforementioned diseases, exist cases such as Malaria, Dengue, Rubella, Pertussis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and Bartonelosis.⁽²⁾