| Childhood Near-Drowning in Chinju |
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Hyang Ok Woo, Chan-Hoo Park |
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Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Chinju, Korea |
| 서부 경남 지역에서 경험한 익수 소아에 관한 고찰 |
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우향옥, 박찬후 |
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경상대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실 |
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| Abstract |
Purpose
: Drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in children,
exceeded only by motor vehicle accidents. The purpose of the present study was to
investigate the prognostic factors of near-drowning in children, such as age, sex, season,
site of submersion, and initial clinical or laboratory manifestrations, and to formulate
preventive strategies for decreasing injuries by drowning.
Methods
: Sixty-one near-drowning children who were admitted to Gyeongsang National
Hospital from January, 1988 to August, 1996, were identified. A review of the
medical charts provided information concerning the submersion accidents.
Results
: Boys had a greater risk of submersion than girls (m=42, F=19). The peak
age of 1 to 4 years is consistent with the known propensity of toddlers for accidents.
Submersion occurred 21 in the sea, 14 in rivers, 7 in bathtubs, 6 in puddles, 3 in ponds,
3 in swimming pools, 2 in valleys, 2 in water tanks, 2 in Korean classic toilets, and 1 in
well. There were differences in the concentrations of electolytes between fresh and salt
water submersion. Near-drowning occurred most commonly in summer, but it could be
observed all the year round, because of the geographical factor of Chinju. Among 61
cases, 49 cases recovered without significant neurologic sequalae and 12 cases died or
survived with severe anoxic encephalopathy. Poor prognostic factors were Glasgow coma
scale(GCS) less than 5, body temperature less than 36.0℃, initial arterial pH less than
7.10, serum glucose over 300mg/dL, AST and/or ALT over 50IU/L, presence of early
convulsion, presence of chest X-ray abnormalities, and need for an artificial ventilation.
Conclusions
: Childhood near-drowning accidents are more frequently observed in
Chinju than expected in any other province of Korea. We found that known poor prognostic
factors for death or severe neurologic sequalae also were operating in our study
population. Preventive measures against drowning and near-drowning through school and
local education programs seems to be the most important strategy. If submersion victim
is found, a quick appropriate extensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation is important to
prevent the death or neurologic sequalae. |
| Key Words:
Near-drowning, Children, Prognosis |
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