Association between early radiographic chest findings and clinical outcomes in pediatric drowning: a retrospective study in a tertiary Italian hospital

• DOI: 10.1007/s00431-025-06029-4
• Publication Date: 2025-02-11T16:30:58Z
• Authors: Tommaso Bellini; Giacomo Brisca; Matteo D’Alessandro; Jessica Tibaldi; Valentina Andreot...; Chiara Conti; Federica Casabona; Elisabetta Lampug...; Emanuela Piccotti; Andrea Moscatelli
• Keywords: Chest radiograph

Abstract Pediatric drowning incidents, both fatal and non-fatal, represent a significant challenge in emergency medicine, particularly for children under 14 years of age. Drowning is leading cause unintentional injury-related deaths, with aged one to four being especially vulnerable. Accurate timely assessment, through chest imaging, such as radiography (CXR) lung point-of-care ultrasound (LUS), crucial evaluating pulmonary complications guiding treatment decisions. This retrospective study analyzed 64 pediatric cases Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Italy, from 2012 2023. For all patients, demographic data, vital parameters, blood tests upon PED admission at 24 h, need intensive care unit admission, length stay, therapies administered, ventilatory support the hospital ward, mortality were recorded. The patients subsequently divided into two groups based on X-ray result. results indicated that pathological CXR findings associated higher likelihood prolonged more severe clinical outcomes, including oxygen supplementation antibiotic therapy. Patients abnormal also exhibited lower saturation, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, body temperature reflecting physiological compromise, RCP values h. Conclusion : Although majority non-fatal recovered without lasting neurological deficits, suggest plays critical role early management, assisting identification those greater risk complications. What Known: • Fatal incidents may issue requiring prompt assessment accurate management even if standardized protocols are lacking. New: Chest imaging initial serve fundamental tool decision-making, when integrated other key parameters status, signs, exams.