Prevention of drowning in infants, children, and adolescents

Pediatrics. 2003 Aug;112(2):440-5. doi: 10.1542/peds.112.2.440.

Abstract

Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death in children. In 2000, more than 1400 US children younger than 20 years drowned. Most (91%) of these deaths were unintentional and were not related to boating. For each drowning death, it is estimated that at least 1 to 4 children suffer a serious nonfatal submersion event, many of which leave children with permanent disabilities. Environmental strategies, such as installation of 4-sided fences around swimming pools, and behavioral strategies, such as increased supervision of children while around water, are needed to prevent these tragedies.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drowning / epidemiology*
  • Drowning / ethnology
  • Drowning / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Safety / standards
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • United States / epidemiology