Paediatric asthma deaths in Ireland: 2006-2016.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the commonest chronic condition in childhood but mortality from asthma during childhood is a rare occurrence. No national review into asthma deaths in children in Ireland has been performed to date. AIM: The aim of this study was to review all cases of mortality from asthma in the paediatric population over a 10-year period in Ireland. The objective was to identify risk factors contributing to asthma deaths in children. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on cases reported to the National Paediatric Mortality Register (NPMR) with asthma as the primary cause of death. RESULTS: Eleven cases were reported. Consent was obtained for six cases. Median age at death was 11.8 years. All patients presented to the Emergency Department (ED) in asystole. Fifty percent of patients had acute symptoms prior to the fatal episode. None of the patients was attending secondary services. Only 60% had a written personalised asthma action plan (PAAP). CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that most patients present in extremis and have little warning signs of severity of the attack. Better education on recognition of symptoms and initiation of action plans is required.