Abstract
The causes of asthma death were analyzed on 180 children, aged from 0 to 28 years old, from 1988 to 2001. Subjects studied were divided in two groups by the year when they died between 1988 to 1997 and between 1998 to 2001, to observe the recent change of causes of asthma death. The annual number of asthma death registered in this committee decreased since 1988. Sex ratio (male:female) was 95:60 in the former group and 12:11 in the later group. The severity of asthma prior to their death were mild (17.9%), moderate (20.5%), severe (29.5%) and unknown or not described (32.1%) in the former group and mild (13.0%), moderate (21.7%), severe (21.7%)and unknown or not described (43.5%) in the later group.
The main contributing factors to asthma death were the unexpected sudden exacerbation in 70% and delayed decision on medical help in 68% in the former group and 45%in the later group. Medications given in the last one month was analyzed. Steroid inhalation therapy was given in 15% and 26% respectively, reflecting the recent asthma therapy trend.
The longitudinal changes of the growth in height and weight were studied.
