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What Causes Sudden Unconsciousness In A Child Leading To Submersion In A Bathtub?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Jun 2016
Question: 14 month old child found face down in water in bathtub. He is bluish and limp. Mother gives CPR and calls 911. Child is bluish and limp when EMS arrive 7 minutes later, but is conscious. Ultimately child survives without any apparent brain or other difficulties. What is the estimated time the child was submerged in the tub?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
could be from a few Seconds to hardly a minute..

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Welcome to HCM,

First I would like to congratulate the mother for this great presence of mind and successful resuscitation of the baby..

Now from your given description , it's quite apparent that the arrival of the EMS was within 7 minutes from 'Calling' 911..so please enquire whether mother has called 911 before giving CPR or after cause it's crucial for narrowing down the exact time frame of the incident ..

Now a 14 month old baby doesn't have what we call as complete lung development and in general has a much lesser lung reserve. So any kind of suffocation (here it is drowning as you've mentioned) and respiratory impairment make them collapse much quicker as compared to adults.

Now the tricky part is- child can be there in the tub for even much longer duration but the 'face down submersion' in water in bathtub is most likely from a few seconds to hardly a minute .. As released within 24 hrs from the hospital with no apparent complications , the time period can be even narrowed down to a few seconds only..

I hope this will clear your doubt..let me know if there's any further queries..

My best wishes..
Kind Regards



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (9 minutes later)
can you give me the name(s) of other doctors in the midwest (Indiana) area who would have the same opinion as yourself. Also can you give me your contact information in the event I would like to discuss this matter further?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
details as follows..

Detailed Answer:
Hi , welcome back,

Well even though Diversity of opinion is always there between doctors, still there is a common ground here in this case , so I don't think that would alter much..

Below is a list of few Consultants of Critical Care that I've found (now please note that I don't know any of them personally, so I'm sharing as per their qualifications, area of expertise, experience and off course patient reviews) :


1. Dr. XXXXXXX Samaan, MD - Office -
Franciscan Physician Network
Pulmonology
2708 Ferry St
XXXXXXX IN 47904
(765) 446-1571 (Office)

2. Dr. XXXXXXX Fischer, MD
Office -
Franciscan Physician Network - Neighborhood Family Medicine
Franciscan Physician Network Pulmonary and Critical Care
2708 Ferry St XXXXXXX IN 47904
(765) 446-1571 (Office)

3. Dr. XXXXXXX I. XXXXXXX MD
Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonology
1500 XXXXXXX St, XXXXXXX IN 47904

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH ARNETT
Indiana University Health Pulmonary Clinic
1500 XXXXXXX St XXXXXXX IN 47904
(765) 448-8000 (Office)

4. Dr. Eustace Fernandes, MD

Lutheran Medical Group
7916 W XXXXXXX Blvd
Fort XXXXXXX IN 46804
(260) 432-2297 (Office)


Unfortunately I can't provide my contact information (against company policy) but I'm sharing my Direct link for Private follow-up through which you can access me anytime for any kind for queries and doubts regarding :

http://www.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=71041

For future reference you can always get in touch with me , below is my direct follow-up link through which you can contact me anytime anywhere , I'll be happy to help -

http://www.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=71041


I hope these information will solve your query..

My Best Wishes


Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Arnab

Critical Care Specialist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1479 Questions

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What Causes Sudden Unconsciousness In A Child Leading To Submersion In A Bathtub?

Brief Answer: could be from a few Seconds to hardly a minute.. Detailed Answer: Hello dear xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Welcome to HCM, First I would like to congratulate the mother for this great presence of mind and successful resuscitation of the baby.. Now from your given description , it's quite apparent that the arrival of the EMS was within 7 minutes from 'Calling' 911..so please enquire whether mother has called 911 before giving CPR or after cause it's crucial for narrowing down the exact time frame of the incident .. Now a 14 month old baby doesn't have what we call as complete lung development and in general has a much lesser lung reserve. So any kind of suffocation (here it is drowning as you've mentioned) and respiratory impairment make them collapse much quicker as compared to adults. Now the tricky part is- child can be there in the tub for even much longer duration but the 'face down submersion' in water in bathtub is most likely from a few seconds to hardly a minute .. As released within 24 hrs from the hospital with no apparent complications , the time period can be even narrowed down to a few seconds only.. I hope this will clear your doubt..let me know if there's any further queries.. My best wishes.. Kind Regards