Child deaths due to asthma or anaphylaxis (NCMD)
The National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) has published a report analysing the deaths of children in England who died due to asthma or anaphylaxis between 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2023, in addition to those who died before 1 April 2019 for whom a Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) review was completed after 1 April 2019.
For asthma, the death rate was four times higher for children from more deprived areas, compared to the least deprived
There were 54 child deaths due to asthma and 19 deaths due to anaphylaxis between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2023. Key findings include:
- Both asthma and anaphylaxis death rates were highest in 15 to 17-year-olds, though deaths occurred across all ages
- 47% of children who died due to anaphylaxis, and 65% of those who died due to asthma, had attended an emergency department in the year before death
- For asthma, the death rate was four times higher for children from more deprived areas, compared to the least deprived; and 27% were born before 37 weeks gestation with a birthweight under 2.5kg
- All children who died of anaphylaxis and had known allergies were also known to have had asthma.
Common themes identified by CDOPs relating to asthma deaths include smoking by family members, poor communication by services, indoor air quality, pets, allergies, abuse and neglect, and a lack of an action plan. For deaths by anaphylaxis, public safety (eg unclear labelling) was the most commonly recorded factor, while the most common allergen was milk.
The report includes a number of recommendations covering policy, air pollution, commissioning, education, medicines, healthcare practice and research.
Read the full report: You can see all key findings and read the report in full by clicking on the link below.
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