As a part of ISAAC phase 3, epidemiological study on prevalence rate of childhood asthma rhinitis and eczema has been conducted during 2001 and 2002. The study happens to be the very first and unique epidemiological analyses for the more than 10 years.

Several regional centers and investigators were included: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Sombor, Nis and Podgorica. Around 15000 children has been included in this study.

Prevalence rate of childhood asthma has been 6,59% 6/7 years old and 5,36% 13/14 yr respectively. Prevalence for rhinitis has been 7,17% and 14,89% respectively (significant difference, P<0,01). Prevalence rate for eczema has been 14,04% and 14,45% which has been almost the same for both groups. When counted prevalence in total results are: 5,91% asthma, 11,46% rhinitis and 14,27% eczema.

Our results compared with results from ISAAC phase 1, might show that prevalence rate for asthma is in the group of countries with low frequency while other allergic diseases are more similar to moderate to high frequency. However, analyzing the frequency of wheezing episodes ever in life we found extremely high percentages, around 25% in our children (high frequency very similar to developed and western European countries) while definite diagnosis of asthma confirmed only one third of children. The only possible option is that asthma is underdiagnosed or this diagnosis is more likely to be stigma producing fear of sprays, longlasting therapy, disabilities and drug dependence. This was particularly important to conclude since it will force us to launch better educational programs and asthma campaign.