The Use of Extracorporeal Rewarming in a Child Submerged for 66 Minutes

Abstract

A 2 1/2-year-old girl had a good neurologic recovery after submersion in cold water for at least 66 minutes; as far as we know, this is the longest time ever reported. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was maintained for more than two hours before the initiation of extracorporeal rewarming in this child who had a core temperature of 19 degrees C. To our knowledge, this is the first successful use of extracorporeal rewarming in a child suffering from accidental hypothermia. Extension of this technique to children offers rapid rewarming and cardiovascular support for pediatric victims of severe hypothermia. We emphasize the importance of a coordinated response by the entire emergency medical system integrated with hospital-based personnel. Where it is geographically feasible, regionalization of triage and care for the pediatric victim of severe accidental hypothermia should be considered.