Child in critical condition after falling into family water tank

According to doctors, when arriving at the hospital, the victim's SpO2 concentration was 85% and gradually decreasing, with scattered subcutaneous hemorrhages on the head and face.

According to the family, the child was playing when he fell into the freshwater tank at home. After a few minutes, he was pulled out and immediately transferred to the Medical Center for treatment: oxygen, CPR, and then transferred to Quang Ninh Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital.

baby in danger after falling into water family photo 1 — Children need emergency care when they fall into water (photo TL).

At the Emergency Clinic and Intensive Care Unit, patients are intubated, put on ventilators and given intensive treatment by doctors, nurses, and emergency technicians.

After 1 hour, the child was out of danger, vital signs gradually improved: both lungs were ventilated, lips were pink, limbs were warm, SpO2 98%, blood pressure 105/75 mmHg, heart rate was regular, abdomen was soft, no fever, continued care, sedation, and nutrition through intravenous catheter.

After 1 week of treatment and intensive care, the child has now regained consciousness, is weaned off the ventilator, can breathe on his own, can urinate, has stable vital signs and tests, has stopped sedation and has been discharged from the hospital.

BSCKII. Duong Van Linh - Head of the examination department, directly involved in the emergency treatment of child patient D.TN said: the golden hour for first aid for drowning victims is about 1-4 minutes when there is a respiratory arrest.

First aid must be urgent and correct, with the aim of clearing the airway and providing oxygen to the victim as quickly as possible.

If not treated promptly, the main consequences are brain damage, respiratory failure, acute pulmonary edema, heart failure, electrolyte disturbances... and can even lead to death or a vegetative state.

Parents need to pay attention and care about preventing drowning for young children. Do not leave children alone at home and always observe their activities. Cover all water containers in the house.

Ensure safety when letting children play near ponds, lakes, rivers, etc. Always have an adult accompany them. Children should be taught how to swim.

Epileptic patients should not be allowed to swim. Read literature or attend classes that promote proper drowning prevention and first aid.

Specific treatment in case of drowning: First aid immediately under water: Quickly take the victim out of the water (if possible) or lift the victim's head above the water; put your arms around the victim's armpits, lift the neck and call for more support to bring them to shore. Immediately after bringing the victim to shore or on a boat:

If the victim has cardiac arrest: unconscious or unresponsive, stops breathing or gasps for air, call 115 immediately or seek assistance from the nearest medical facility.

At the same time, cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be performed: chest compressions (using two hands on top of each other placed on the lower half of the sternum and pressing at a frequency of about 100 - 120 times/minute) and artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation).

Be patient in first aid. Only give up if you have been performing CPR and chest compressions for about 2 hours without seeing any improvement.

If first aid is successful, the victim is breathing again, struggling, or the victim is still unconscious but has a pulse and breathing, the victim must be transferred immediately to a medical facility.

If the victim is conscious and breathing on their own, lay them in a dry place, remove wet clothes and keep them warm by covering them with a dry blanket or towel.

Place the victim in a safe position, lying on one side to allow for easy drainage of vomit if there is vomiting. Take the victim to the nearest medical facility immediately, even if the victim appears to be fine or has fully recovered after first aid, as breathing difficulties can occur several hours after drowning, especially in children.

Note that you should not perform a back shock because this measure only clears the throat and mouth area but increases the risk of choking and slows down the first aid time for the victim.

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