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Characteristics of paediatric patients who experienced accidental drowning at transition points in recreational water
Prerana Malla1, Molly B Johnson2,3, Brent M Troy4
1Pediatric Emergency Medicine Associates, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Insights
Transition points during planned water activities pose a high risk for child drowning. Understanding these risks can improve water safety messaging for young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Safety
- Injury Prevention
- Public Health
Background:
- Drowning is a leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the USA.
- Risks associated with specific times or activities during planned water recreation are not well understood.
- This study focuses on drowning incidents during 'transition points'—times when children should not be in the water.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize drowning incidents occurring during transition points in children.
- To identify factors associated with transition point drownings.
- To inform water safety strategies during recreational water activities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of unintentional drowning cases in children during planned water recreation (2014-2023).
- Categorization of drowning incidents as occurring during a transition point or not.
- Assessment of patient characteristics and qualitative analysis of narratives.
Main Results:
- Children drowning during transition points were younger, less likely to be conscious/breathing, and more likely hospitalized.
- Key themes identified: flotation device management, supervision lapses, child water expectations, and situational factors.
- Transition points represent a significant risk factor for pediatric drowning.
Conclusions:
- Transition points during planned water activities are identified as high-risk periods for child drowning.
- Understanding transition point drowning characteristics and themes can enhance water safety prevention messages.
- Improved messaging can contribute to better water safety during recreational times.
Background:
In the USA, drowning is the leading cause of death in children 1-4 years old. During planned water time, it is unclear if there are time points or activities that might impact drowning risk. The aim of this study is to characterise drowning incidents that occur during transition points, which are time points during planned recreational water time when a child is not supposed to be in the water.
Methods:
This retrospective study explored data from children who sought care at one children's hospital for unintentional drowning during planned water recreation from 2014 to 2023. Patients were characterised as having a drowning incident that occurred during a transition point or not. Associations between characteristics of those children who drowned during transition points versus those who did not were assessed. Qualitative analysis identified themes in the patient narratives associated with transition point drowning incidents.
Results:
Children whose drowning incident occurred during a transition point were more likely to be younger, less likely to be breathing or conscious when removed from the water and more likely to be admitted to the hospital. Qualitative analysis identified these transition point drowning incident themes: delayed application or early removal of flotation devices, supervision, expectations of children around water and situational factors.
Conclusions:
Findings show that transition points may be high-risk times for children to drown. An understanding of common characteristics and themes of transition point drownings may help craft drowning prevention messaging to improve water safety during planned water recreation times.
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