[« Doctor, my child swallowed water, can he die from dry drowning ? » An update on drowning in 2018]

Drowning is a significant and neglected public health problem mostly affecting young children. The definition of drowning has recently been modified and the notions of « dry drowning », « secondary drowning » and « near drowning » are no longer accepted or used. However, recent articles in the media describing dry drowning of children have been reported. This entity seems to be absent of the actual scientific literature and worried parents can be reassured. Increased vigilance is the key as prevention is the most efficient intervention to reduce drowning mortality. To provide more guidance to the pediatrician and the general practitioner we are reviewing the most recent literature on the subject, as well as facts in the mater of drowning prevention.