OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of engagement in self-asphyxial (risk-taking) behaviour ( @entity2063 ) ('choking game') and associated morbidity and mortality in @entity1 and young @entity1 up to age 20. DESIGN: Systematic literature review. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic database search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, BIOSIS citation index and the Cochrane register with no language or date limits applied. References of key papers were reviewed, and experts were contacted to identify additional relevant papers. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Systematic reviews, cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies, and case reports examining @entity2063 with regard to individuals aged 0-20   years, without explicitly stated autoerotic, suicidal or self-harm intentions were included. RESULTS: Thirty-six relevant studies were identified, and @entity2063 was reported in 10 countries. In North America, France and Colombia, awareness of @entity2063 ranged from 36% to 91% across studies/settings, and the median lifetime prevalence of engagement in @entity2063 was 7.4%. Six studies identified the potential for @entity2063 to be associated with engagement in other risk behaviours. Ninety-nine fatal cases were reported. Of the 24 cases described in detail, most occurred when individuals engaged in @entity2063 alone and used a ligature. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence on @entity2063 among young @entity1 is limited, and stems predominantly from North America and France. Awareness of @entity2063 among young @entity1 is high, and engagement varies by setting. Further research is needed to understand the level of risk and harm associated with @entity2063 , and to determine the appropriate public health response.

Prevalence and associated harm of engagement in self-asphyxial behaviours ('choking game') in young XXXX : a systematic review.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['people', 'children'] @entity2063 :: ('MESH:C537571', 'Disease') :: ['SAB']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['people']
