2018 Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 739-745
The number of asthma death that had been reported to the Japanese childhood asthma death committee from 1989 to October 2017 was 252, including 6 cases that had been newly registered since the last report in 2014. Two hundred and nineteen cases after excluding inappropriate cases were analyzed in this report. Male/female ratio was 136/83 (1.6/1). Peak of death was observed at the age of 0-3 years and 12-16 years. Regarding the distribution by prefecture, Tokyo was the highest (24 cases), followed by Aichi (16 cases), Fukuoka (15 cases). Regarding phenotype and seasonality, atopic (47%) and perennial (38%) type were the highest, respectively. Proportion of severity during the year before death was as follows ; 26% severe, 18% moderate, 18% mild, 38% unknown or unwritten. The rate of unknown or unwritten cases was higher (53%) since 2000, compared to that until 1999 (34%). Proportion of frequency of admission during a year before death was as follows ; 37% zero, 15% once, 5% twice, 14% three times or more, 29% unknown or unwritten. The most frequent situation at admission was dead on arrival (58.2%). The most frequent cause of death was asphyxia (59.6%).
