Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Drowning in children: Utstein style reporting and outcome
R Vähätalo1, P Lunetta, K T Olkkola
1Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Paediatric drowning incidents in Finland showed an annual incidence of 1.9/100,000, with higher rates in toddlers. Overall mortality exceeded previous estimates, though survival improved when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated by emergency medical services (EMS).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Public Health Surveillance
- Drowning Epidemiology
Background:
- Paediatric drowning remains a significant public health concern.
- Understanding incidence and mortality is crucial for prevention strategies.
- Standardized reporting guidelines, such as the 'Utstein Style for Drowning', aid data consistency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and mortality rates of paediatric drowning incidents.
- To analyze survival outcomes based on the initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- To compare findings with previous studies and 'Utstein Style for Drowning' guidelines.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed paediatric drowning cases under 16 years of age.
- Data included hospitalizations and deaths in Uusimaa, Finland, from 1997 to 2007.
- Survival rates were assessed at hospital discharge and after a 1-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- 58 paediatric drowning cases were identified, with an annual incidence of 1.9/100,000 children.
- The highest incidence (2.8/100,000) was observed in children aged 1-4 years.
- Survival rates for CPR-initiated cases by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel were 42% at discharge and 27% at 1-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of paediatric drowning aligns with prior research.
- Overall mortality rates for paediatric drowning were higher than previously estimated.
- Initiation of CPR by EMS personnel demonstrated a notable impact on survival rates.
Background:
We report the incidence and mortality of paediatric drowning incidents according to 'Utstein Style for Drowning' guidelines.
Methods:
Retrospective study including all the drowned children under 16 years of age who were hospitalised or died with or without attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) between 1997 and 2007 in the province of Uusimaa, Finland. Survival rates provided at hospital discharge and after 1-year follow-up period are reported.
Results:
A total of 58 drowned children were either admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit or died during the study period. The median (interquartile range) age was 5.9 (3.1, 7.8) years. The annual incidence of drowning was 1.9/100,000 and was highest, 2.8/100,000, in children aged between 1 and 4 years. The annual mortality rate was 0.9/100,000. Of all the 58 patients, 14 (24%) died at the scene, 22 (38.1%) before the hospital discharge, and 26 (45%) within the 1 year. The number of non-fatal drownings was 1.2-fold that of fatal drownings. The survival rate of the 26 patients for whom CPR was initiated by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel was 42% at hospital discharge, with the 1-year survival rate being 27%.
Conclusions:
The incidence of drowning in children and the survival rate of those children in whom CPR was initiated by EMS personnel was in line with the previously reported. However, the overall mortality rate in drowned children was higher than estimated in previous studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:52Regression Toward the Mean