In France, half of all asthma-related hospitalizations involve children, and while hospitalization rates are declining among adults, they remain stable among children. Most hospitalizations due to asthma exacerbations are considered preventable through appropriate management of exacerbations and adequate maintenance therapy. The objective of this article is to describe the characteristics of hospitalizations for asthma in children. The study was conducted over one year in 14 participating hospital departments among children aged 3 years or older. A total of 727 hospitalizations were recorded. In half of the cases, the children were aged 3 to 5 years, and in 27% of cases, asthma was not known at the time of hospitalization. Among children with known asthma, 57% had previously been hospitalized for their asthma, 37% had sought emergency care at the hospital for an asthma exacerbation (emergency room visit or hospitalization) in the past year, and nearly half had poorly controlled asthma in the month preceding hospitalization. Among these children with known asthma, 11% had received a verbal and written action plan, and 8% had participated in an asthma education program. This study highlights the importance of continuing efforts toward earlier asthma diagnosis and improved education. (R.A.)