2010 Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 763-774
The causes of asthma death were analyzed on 202 children (3 children in 2009)from 1988 to 1999. The number of asthma death decreased both in children and adults recently. The severity of asthma prior to death were mild(28%), moderate(29%) and severe(43%). The history of aggravating factors to asthma were previous admission in 52%, but the incidence of severe attack with unconsciousness, intubation and use of isoproterenol were low and can not be the risk factors. The main contributing factors were unexpected sudden exacerbation, delayed decision on medical help by the patients and families, low compliance and overuse of drugs of pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and motor nebulizer (MoNe)
Comparing medications given in 1988 to 1997 and in 1998 to 2009, oral theophylline and β2 stimulants, β2 stimulants by pMDI and MoNe were used less frequently but steroid inhalation were given to 31% of cases in 1998 to 2009. Twelve children died at school, in the toilets, on the way to the hospital, during school activities and on the way home.
