Under-five mortality from unintentional suffocation in China, 2006-2016

Background We used nationally representative data to examine trends in under-five unintentional suffocation mortality from 2006 to 2016 in China and mortality differences across age groups, sexes, rural vs urban locations and injury mechanisms. Methods Mortality data came from 161 surveillance points of China's disease surveillance points (DSPs) system. Unintentional suffocation deaths were identified through the 10th International Classification of Disease (ICD-10 codes: w75-w84). Negative binomial regression tested the significance of change in overall and subgroup mortality between 2006 and 2016. Results Despite minor fluctuations, a steady trend in overall age-adjusted unintentional suffocation mortality was observed from 2006 to 2016 in Chinese children under 5 years of age. Infants (<1 year), boys and rural children had higher mortality rates than children aged 1-4 years, girls and urban children, respectively. Strangulation and suffocation in bed was the most common cause of mortality for infants, accounting for 66% of deaths. Children aged 1-4 years suffered more often from, inhalation suffocation (55% of deaths). Conclusions Unintentional suffocation mortality rates in under-five children remained fairly stable in China over the past decade but remained at high levels. We discuss actions that might be implemented to reduce pediatric suffocation rates in China.