Going back to school or nursery triggers a sharp rise in hospital admissions for asthma, official figures show.
Hospital admissions for under-16s were 58% higher in September 2009 than the monthly average for the year, according to data for England from the NHS Information Centre.
The same thing happened in the previous year, in September 2008, when admission rates were more than double the monthly average.
Experts are unsure what lies behind the increase and have called for further investigation.
Erica Evans, head nurse at Asthma UK, said: "There are a number of possible factors involved, including the spreading of colds and viruses, the potential stresses that a new school term can bring and children not taking their regular preventer medicine over the summer holidays."
Hospital admissions among older age groups do not follow the same pattern. Asthmatics are less likely to be admitted when they are older, with admission rates among older Medical ID wearers peaking in October or December.
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