The authors deal with the problem of hospitalization of children accompanied by mothers or another member of the family. They mention the advantages and „relative disadvantages“ of this approach to hospitalization of children. From the investigated groups they conclude that the number of mother who are hospitalized with their child increases steadily. The greatest interest is displayed by mother of children from 0 - 3 years (78.1 %). A significant decline of interest in hospitalization occurs in mothers with children older than 6 years where the stay in hospital must be paid. The authors evaluated a group of children who were in hospital on their own. The majority of mothers explains the refusal of hospitalization by care of another child (64.4 %), some mothers give no particular reason (15,3 %). Some of the children have a mother hospitalized on account of her own illness (5.1 %), some children do not live with their family (11 %), other reasons were given by 4.2 % mothers. The authors remind of the fact that in addition to the advantage of hospitalization of the child with a member of the family, it is also in the child’s interest to establish close collaboration of the medical staff with the mothers.

        Key words: hospital, hospitalization of children with mothers