Citation

Lavelle JM, Shaw KN, Seidl T, Ludwig S. Ann. Emerg. Med. 1995; 25(3): 344-348.

Affiliation

Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7864474

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors associated with bathtub submersion injury and their relationship to child abuse and neglect. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: An urban children's hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Any child sustaining a bathtub near-drowning over the 10-year period from 1982 to 1992. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were treated for bathtub near-drownings during the 10-year period, accounting for 24% of all submersion injuries. A significant number (67%) had historic and/or physical findings suspicious for abuse or neglect, including incompatible history for the injury, other physical injuries, previous child abuse reports, psychiatric history of the caretaker, and/or psychosocial concerns noted in the chart. The mortality rate of 42% was significant. No demographic characteristics identified the children at risk. CONCLUSION: Many children who are injured in the bathtub suffer from abuse or neglect. Medical evaluation should include social work consultation and a search for other accompanying injuries.