Ertrinkungsunfälle im kindesalter - Eine retrospektive analyse

Drowning is one of the major causes of fatal accidence in young children. We examined 56 children admitted to the children's hospital Muenchen-Schwabing or Passau after drowning or near-drowning between 1989 and 1997. The age ranged between 13 to 145 months. We divided them into two groups: those who recovered completely and those who survived with severe neurological damage or died. We tested for significance for the outcome. Five significant clinical and laboratory parameters were combined to a score, and the range was predetermined from 0 to 12 points. In addition, we collected information of prehospital management by evaluating emergency doctors' reports. Airway and hypothermia management turned out to be non-satisfactory in prehospital management. Extracorporal circulation was never applied although it should be taken into consideration in special situations. We present a possible algorithm applicable for out of scene management. Most important goal is to prevent injury by the use of fences around garden ponds or pools.