ZARA
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Type of drowning kills hours after submersion
It is called "secondary drowning" or sometimes "near drowning." It occurs when a child is submerged in water and comes out coughing and sputtering, and develops breathing problems later.
"They initially look well, and then over -- usually the first six to eight hours, but it can be as much as 24 hours out -- they can develop a lot of increased trouble breathing," says Dr. Erik Schobitz, medical director of the pediatric emergency room at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.
What happens is the child develops an inflammation or swelling of the lungs called a pulmonary edema where the body struggles to get enough oxygen.
"That is why we have to watch them carefully after any one of these near drowning events," Schobitz says.
He says parents should look for these signs of respiratory distress:
An increased rate of breathing
Flaring of the nostrils, where the skin on the side of the nose pops in and out with each breath
Retraction of the ribs, meaning it's possible to see the skin sucking in between the ribs or over the ribs right at the "V" of the neck
Paradoxal or "see-saw" breathing, where the tummy pops out and the chest caves in with each breath
Any of these indications of respiratory distress should raise warning flags for parents, prompting an immediate trip to the ER. Schobitz says it's best to err on the side of caution, adding he would rather see 10 false alarms than one dead child.
It is called "secondary drowning" or sometimes "near drowning." It occurs when a child is submerged in water and comes out coughing and sputtering, and develops breathing problems later.
"They initially look well, and then over -- usually the first six to eight hours, but it can be as much as 24 hours out -- they can develop a lot of increased trouble breathing," says Dr. Erik Schobitz, medical director of the pediatric emergency room at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.
What happens is the child develops an inflammation or swelling of the lungs called a pulmonary edema where the body struggles to get enough oxygen.
"That is why we have to watch them carefully after any one of these near drowning events," Schobitz says.
He says parents should look for these signs of respiratory distress:
An increased rate of breathing
Flaring of the nostrils, where the skin on the side of the nose pops in and out with each breath
Retraction of the ribs, meaning it's possible to see the skin sucking in between the ribs or over the ribs right at the "V" of the neck
Paradoxal or "see-saw" breathing, where the tummy pops out and the chest caves in with each breath
Any of these indications of respiratory distress should raise warning flags for parents, prompting an immediate trip to the ER. Schobitz says it's best to err on the side of caution, adding he would rather see 10 false alarms than one dead child.
