Introduction and rationale. In Colombia, the prevalence of asthma in children aged 5 to 17 years is 16.8%, but the proportion of severe asthma (SA) is unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and functional characteristics of children aged 6 to 15 years with diagnosis of severe asthma in a reference institution of a middle-income developing country located at high altitude (Bogota: 2.640 m). Methods. Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study in children aged 6 to 15 years with SA diagnosed according to the joint