Pediatric drowning; A 20-years review of autopsied cases: III bathtub drownings

Bathtub drownings are a significant cause of mortality in the pediatric population. Infants and perambulatory children are disproportionately affected, and several studies have suggested that preventive campaigns have been ineffective in the prevention of such deaths. To obtain a better understanding of the factors associated with bathtub drownings, a retrospective review of autopsy records over a 20-year period (1984–2003) was performed. Eighteen consecutive cases of bathtub drownings were identified in 8 males and 10 females (ratio, 0.8; P = 0.6374). The age ranged from 6 months to 70 years (mean, 17 months; median 11 months), and most cases occurred in infants aged 12 months or less (72%). Males tended to be older than females (mean 23 months versus 11 months; P = 0.1889). Associated factors include inadequate adult supervision (89%), co bathing (39%), the use of infant bath seats (17%), and co-existent medical disorders predisposing the infant or child to the drowning episode (17%). The pathologic findings included a frothy exudates (28%), pleural effusion (28%), and increased lung weight (61%). All toxicologic samples submitted for analysis were negative. The present study highlights the factors associated with bathtub drownings and may aid in the prevention of such deaths in the pediatric population.