This paper sought to examine the incidence, aetiology and severity of bronchiectasis amongst New Zealand children. New cases of bronchiectasis were collected via monthly survey of paediatricians, and confirmed cases were followed up by questionnaire after 12 months. Over 94% of paediatricians provided data, and of 99 notifications received, 65 cases were confirmed. Median age at diagnosis was 5.2 years. Bilateral disease was present in 83% of cases. Mean FEV1 was 77% of predicted, and the modified Bhalla HRCT score was 18. The overall incidence of bronchiectasis in children < 15 years was estimated at 3.7 per 100,000, but varied by ethnicity and region. Rates per 100,000 by ethnicity were 17.8 for Pacific children, 4.8 for Mäori and 1.5 for New Zealand Europeans. The authors find that the incidence of bronchiectasis is high in NZ children. It is 7x the rate in Finland, the only other country which has reported a childhood national rate.
