Children, Youth and Water-related Injuries

Overview

Recently there have appeared no studies in the Czech Republic, which would deal with waterrelated injuries in children and youth. This study is to map the problem of drowning and near drowning. This is a retrospective study for the period of 2001–2004. The scene of the collection of data encompassed 14 regions, i.e. the entire territory of the Czech Republic. The monitored group consisted of persons aged 0–18 years. Groups studied: drowned persons, near drowned persons. Information was acquired from autopsy reports and the statements of forensic medical experts. According to the medical records and autopsy reports there were ascertained a total of 548 cases of water-related injuries in the 2001–2004 period. Ninety two (17 %) cases of drowning and 456 (83 %) children and youth that have been hospitalized for water-related injuries were recorded. 227 (41 %) children have been hospitalized for near drowning and 229 (42 %) were hospitalized for water-related injuries caused by jump to the water. The group most frequently represented is that of persons aged 1 year (9 %) and 13–15 years. From the results significant risks can be established. The most frequent place for drowning is natural water. There is a significant by risky behaviour of the adolescence – jump in to the water. For the youngest category there is dangerous fall into the water caused by lacking of supervision. For drowning, the swimming pools is a dangerous place for children aged 0–6 years. In all the groups in 5 % of cases the cause of drowning is falling into the swimming pool. The alcohol in blood was ascertained in 5 % cases of drowning children. The youngest child with positive alcohol was 8 years old. Drowning rates are known to vary greatly with age. The results of the project serve as a basic material for the creation of a national information system. The results are the basis for the prevention activities in this area.

Key words:
prevention, injury, drowning, near drowning, children, youth