Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on the most up-to-date knowledge in pathophysiology, management and prevention of drowning accidents in the pediatric age group to propose a protocol for the care of these patients in the emergency department. METHODS: Systematic literature review in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases using drowning, pediatrics, emergency treatment and accident prevention descriptors, including articles published in the last 5 years that cover the objectives of the present study. RESULTS: Worst drowning outcomes are associated with age < 5 years, submersion time > 5 minutes, higher Szpilman score, and admission with lower Glasgow Coma Scale, hypothermia < 30°C, acidosis, hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, elevation of lactate and liver enzymes and an abnormal chest X-ray. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of prognostic factors through a review of the current literature provided the development of an algorithm for managing drowning patients in pediatric emergency and reinforced the importance of working preventive measures collectively.
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