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Drowning, Pediatric

Mercedes M. Blackstone, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Drowning is defined as respiratory impairment from submersion in a liquid medium.

  • The term “drowning” does not imply outcome; drowning can be fatal or nonfatal.

  • Historically “near drow...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Mechanism

    • History of diving or other high-impact injury

    • Intoxication

    • Seizure disorder

    • Cardiac arrhythmia

    • Child abuse

  • Prognostic indicators; the following have been correlated with a poor pr...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Good prehospital care and effective bystander CPR dramatically improve chances of neurologically intact survival.

  • Attempts to remove water from the lungs such as abdominal thr...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Long-term follow-up of apparently neurologically intact survivors has shown mild coordination or gross motor deficiencies.

  • Potential increased risk for chronic lun...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. Prevention of drowning. Pediatrics.  2010;126(1):178–185. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Br...

CODES

ICD9

994.1 Drowning and nonfatal submersion 

ICD10

T75.1XXA Unsp effects of drowning and nonfatal submersion, init 

SNOMED

  • 212962007 Drowning and non-fatal immersion (disorder)

  • 40947009 Drowning (even...

FAQ

  • Q: Should the drowning victim who arrives at the hospital with cardiopulmonary arrest be resuscitated?

  • A: Yes. A brief (10 to 15 minutes) attempt at resuscitation is indicated until circumstances o...

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