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Drowning and immersion injuries in children
1Children's Hospital and Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Drowning causes significant child mortality and morbidity. Research now focuses on preventing secondary brain injury and improving early prognostication for better outcomes in near-drowning incidents.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care
- Drowning and immersion injury research
- Neurointensive care
Background:
- Drowning and immersion injuries are primary causes of death and disability in children.
- Epidemiologic data on drowning is expanding.
- Advanced respiratory support, like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding and management strategies for pediatric drowning and immersion injuries.
- To highlight shifts in neurointensive care approaches post-near-drowning.
- To discuss advancements in early neurologic prognostication for drowning victims.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiologic information.
- Exploration of novel respiratory failure management techniques.
- Focus on preventing secondary brain injury through targeted interventions.
Main Results:
- Aggressive neurointensive care has not shown improved outcomes in near-drowning cases.
- New strategies focus on cerebral oxygenation, circulation, hypothermia reversal, and glucose management.
- Early neurologic prognostication methods are becoming more accurate and relevant.
Conclusions:
- Clinical practice is shifting towards targeted interventions for secondary brain injury prevention.
- Accurate prognostication aids critical care physicians in decisions regarding support withdrawal.
- Focus is on optimizing outcomes for pediatric drowning survivors.