Sequelae of Accidental Near-drowning in Childhood

Abstract

Patients admitted to hospital because of near-drownings were followed-up 2–7 years after the admissions. The material comprises 36 children and 15 adults, which is the total number of patients cared for because of accidental near-drownings within the Uppsala Hospital Region 1964–1968. The region contains one-sixth of Sweden's population. Hospital records were examined and parents of the children were interviewed by telephone. Two seriously disabled cases were found. The annual figure for severely and permanently disabled children, injured by near-drownings, is estimated at 2 or 3 for all Sweden. The corresponding point prevalence is estimated to be anything between 50 and 120 patients; this too concerns patients disabled as children. The incidence of children with non-fatal of permanent organic brain injuries due to accidental near-drowning is small compared with the corresponding mortality. Maybe the small probability of being saved within the short time required for this final result is a suitable explanation.

Drowning

“…The development of posthypoxic encephalopathy is the most common cause of death in hospitalized victims who have suffered from the drowning process. 19,20 No two cases of drowning are identical. The type, temperature, and quantity of water aspirated may differ, and the victim's state of health before drowning may be important.…”

Recommended Guidelines for Uniform Reporting of Data From Drowning

“…The development of posthypoxic encephalopathy with or without cerebral edema is the most common cause of death in hospitalized drowning victims. 38,39 Most resuscitations begin at the scene of the drowning and not at a hospital, making on-scene data extremely important. Furthermore, many, or possibly most, drowning victims have mild symptoms, recover at the scene, and may or may not be transported to a hospital.…”

The Prognosis of Near‐drowned Children

“…Every year a number of near-drowning victims are treated in children's hospitals. The prognosis for a complete recovery is held to be very good (4,13). In the material of 36 near-drowned children Eriksson et al found two seriously disabled cases.…”