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Pediatric submersion injuries: emergency care and resuscitation
Janet Semple-Hess1, Rashida Campwala2
1Attending Physician, Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Insights
Pediatric drowning requires rapid prehospital care focusing on ventilation and circulation. This review details diagnostic tests, rewarming techniques, and a systematic approach to treating pediatric drowning victims to improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Drowning is a leading cause of preventable death and disability in children.
- Prompt prehospital intervention is critical to minimize hypoxic injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of pediatric drowning and submersion injuries.
- To outline diagnostic testing, rewarming strategies, and treatment protocols for pediatric drowning victims.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current literature on pediatric drowning management.
- Discussion of diagnostic modalities including blood tests, imaging, and monitoring.
- Analysis of various rewarming techniques for hypothermic patients.
Main Results:
- Key diagnostic tests include arterial blood gas, complete blood count, and cardiorespiratory monitoring.
- Rewarming methods encompass passive external, active external, and active internal techniques.
- A structured approach to treatment and disposition impacts patient prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Effective prehospital care, including rapid resuscitation and appropriate rewarming, is vital for pediatric drowning survivors.
- Understanding risk factors and prognostic indicators is essential for optimal pediatric drowning victim management.
Abstract:
Drowning and submersion injuries are highly prevalent, yet preventable, causes of pediatric mortality and morbidity. Prehospital care should focus on restoring normal ventilation and circulation as quickly as possible to limit the extent of hypoxic insult. Diagnostic testing for symptomatic patients may include blood glucose level, arterial blood gas level, complete blood count, electrolyte levels, chest radiography, and cardiorespiratory monitoring with pulse oximetry and a rhythm strip. In this review, passive external, active external, and active internal rewarming techniques for treatment of hypothermic patients are discussed. A systematic approach to treatment and disposition of pediatric drowning victims is provided, and risk factors, caveats in pediatric care, and factors affecting prognosis are also discussed.
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