On 17/7, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tien, Deputy Director of Benh vien Nhi dong Thanh pho, reported that the patient was admitted in a deep coma, suffering from seizures and severe oxygen deprivation. Scans confirmed widespread damage to both lungs and cerebral edema in both brain hemispheres.

The hospital diagnosed the child with drowning-induced cerebral hypoxia and aspiration pneumonia. Doctors immediately initiated mechanical ventilation, administered broad-spectrum antibiotics, and treated cerebral edema, seizures, and other disorders. After nearly two weeks of intensive care, the patient was weaned off the ventilator, transitioned to breathing oxygen independently, and gradually regained consciousness before being discharged today.

The accident occurred three weeks ago when the victim and three friends went swimming in a local pond. Unable to swim, the boy slipped into a deep depression formed by pond dredging. His friends attempted a rescue but failed, prompting them to call for nearby adults. After nearly 10 minutes submerged, he was pulled ashore in a coma, cyanotic, and gasping for air.

Bystanders at the scene immediately performed chest compressions on the victim for about 10 minutes. After the boy vomited a significant amount of water, his family transported him directly to a local hospital. There, doctors quickly intubated him to support breathing, treated cerebral edema, and then urgently transferred him to the higher-level Benh vien Nhi dong Thanh pho.

Resuscitation treatment for the patient. Photo: Quynh Tran

According to Doctor Tien, drowning is a leading cause of death among children, especially during summer. Proper first aid at the scene significantly increases the chance of survival.

When a child is found drowning, bystanders should quickly bring the victim ashore and check for breathing and circulation. If the child stops breathing or has cardiac arrest, immediate chest compressions combined with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should be performed, and emergency services called. Avoid inverting the child, shaking them, rolling them, or pressing on their abdomen, as these actions do not expel water and waste critical "golden time" for resuscitation.

The doctor also advised parents to teach children to swim and prevent them from swimming alone in rivers, streams, ponds, or lakes without adult supervision. Water containers like buckets and basins in homes should be covered or kept dry when not in use to prevent young children from falling in face-first and drowning.

For construction sites with excavated pits or flooded areas, barriers and warning signs are necessary to prevent children from accidentally falling, which could lead to tragic accidents.

Steps for cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest first aid. Video: Trung tam Cap cuu 115 TP HCM

Le Phuong