OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life of children with bronchial asthma. METHODS: Eighty three asthmatic children with an acute attack within one week were interviewed using the Pedictric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. The total average scores of related items were measured. Sixty five age matched children with respiratory infections served as the controls. RESULTS: The total average scores of every factor, including asthma symptoms, activity limitation, response to stimulus agents, psychologic status and attension to the self health, were higher in asthmatic children than those in the controls (P< 0.05 or 0.01 ). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of asthmatic children can be impaired by bronchial asthma.