Evaluation of pediatric drowning cases presenting to the emergency department

Objective: Pediatric drowning remains a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and factors associated with poor outcomes in children presenting to the emergency department with drowning. Methods: The medical records of children younger than 18 years who were presented to the emergency department or were transported by emergency medical services between January 2023 and June 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Collected variables included demographic features, drowning environment, presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and clinical outcomes. Patients were categorized into good outcome (discharge) and poor outcome (pediatric intensive care unit transfer or death), and comparisons were performed using Fisher’s exact test. Results: Twelve pediatric drowning cases were identified (mean age 101.6 ± 50.4 months; mean weight 30.5 ± 17.0 kg). Males accounted for 83.3% of patients. Eleven incidents (91.7%) occurred in salt water and one (8.3%) in fresh water. At presentation, half of the patients were asymptomatic, while 50% had respiratory distress and 16.7% required CPR. Seven patients (58.3%) were discharged, three (25%) were transferred to pediatric intensive care, and two (16.7%) died. Respiratory distress at admission and abnormal biochemical findings were significantly associated with poor outcomes (p=0.015 and p=0.028, respectively). Conclusion: Pediatric drownings in our region mainly affected boys and occurred in saltwater. Early respiratory and laboratory abnormalities may help identify children at risk for intensive care. Prevention and early intervention remain crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality.