Children under 5 years presenting to paediatricians with near‐drowning

Abstract

Children reported in this national case series represent the severe end of the spectrum of those who nearly drown, as indicated by their presentation to a paediatrician, universal hospitalization and adverse neurological outcome. The home is the site of most near-drownings and males and toddlers were at particular risk. Unimpeded access to pools and lack of supervision were identified as potentially modifiable factors for prevention. The study suggests the need for additional community education regarding the risks of near-drowning and for further research on long-term neuro-developmental outcomes following near-drowning.

Interventions associated with drowning prevention in children and adolescents: systematic literature review

“…Risk factors identified in these articles are also reported (box 1).

Interventions and risk factors discussed in studies that did not meet eligibility criteriaInterventions Pool fences (including legislation/proper installation/inspection)28–40 Water safety education33 35–37 39 41–48 Increased supervision30 33 37 39 44 49 Swimming lessons for children33 39 44 46 49 50 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge28 30 33 Alcohol (reducing drinking age/limiting use)51 52 Wearing life vest and lifeguard presence36 53–55 Risk factors Age group 0–4 years28 32 34 37 43 49 55 Young age up to 10 years30 44 50 Masculine gender39 41 50 Ethnicity (indigenous/immigrants/tourists)36 44 50 Lack of supervision36 46 49 Pools34 35 37 39 55 Pool fencing (lack of or inadequate)35 38 Bathtubs37 Dams/ponds/rivers32 39 49 Sea/coast50 Poor swimming ability49 Summer season32 37 Alcohol and adolescents28 41 52

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“…Interventions Pool fences (including legislation/proper installation/inspection)28–40 Water safety education33 35–37 39 41–48 Increased supervision30 33 37 39 44 49 Swimming lessons for children33 39 44 46 49 50 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge28 30 33 Alcohol (reducing drinking age/limiting use)51 52 Wearing life vest and lifeguard presence36 53–55 …”

The Nature of Caregiver Supervision of Young Children in Public Pools

“…Despite this, inadequate supervision, or lack thereof, has been implicated in almost all childhood drownings worldwide (Petrass, Blitvich, & Finch, 2011a;Ross, Elliott, Lam, & Cass, 2003;Simon, Tamura, & Colton, 2003). For Australian child drowning deaths, coronial reports have documented a lack of adult supervision to be the main contributing factor (Bugeja & Franklin, 2005;Petrass et al, 2011a).…”

Drowning and Near-Drowning in Children in the Southeast of Turkey

“…Swimming pools are the most reported sites of near-drownings and pose the highest risk in all age groups. Infants are most at risk from near-drowning in the bath, while toddlers are most at risk from near-drowning in swimming pools (8). Baths are particularly dangerous places for unsupervised infants, as it is easy for an infant to fall over in a slippery bath with smooth sides and very difficult for an infant to regain a sitting posture.…”