Critical Study Of Near Drowning Cases At A Pediatric Emergency Department In West Africa

Abstract

Background: Drowning is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood globally. Children in the developed world are thought to be affected most by this event. However recent figures have shown that drowning contributes significantly to childhood deaths in developing countries. Drowning have been redefined. Method: To determine the pattern of near drowning in this setting a retrospective review of inpatient records of cases of childhood drowning and near drowning from september1999 to September 2008 was undertaken. Results. Seven cases were identified .Male children were more likely to drown, The manner of drowning was mostly accidental. The river was the most common place of these events. There was no pre-morbid psychopathology. Two cases were brought in already dead.