Prevention of Fatal Pediatric Asthma in China

Abstract Asthma, a prevalent chronic respiratory disease worldwide, imposes a significant disease burden on children. According to the Global Burden of Disease, pediatric asthma mortality in China declined by 92.2% over the past three decades (1990–2019). This progress is mainly attributed to the continuous refinement of diagnostic and treatment guidelines, the promotion of standardized inhalation therapy, the implementation of asthma action plans, and the establishment of standardized asthma clinics for children. By 2020, a total of 1289 standardized pediatric asthma clinics had been established nationwide, including 135 that served as regional demonstration centers. However, the absolute number of pediatric asthma deaths in China remains a cause for concern, with approximately 70 children succumbing to asthma annually in recent years. Eliminating asthma deaths still requires constant vigilance and sustained efforts. The primary challenges currently encountered include the transition of care for adolescents with asthma, the early recognition of anaphylaxis, and the management of airway mucus plugging. Future efforts should identify avoidable risk factors, optimize adolescent transition care, enhance emergency response capabilities among healthcare professionals, standardize airway mucus hypersecretion management, and promote integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine to improve asthma control and reduce pediatric asthma mortality.