Neurodevelopmental outcome for extended cold water drowning: A longitudinal case study

There is little longitudinal data examining outcome of pediatric near-drowning. Most literature tracks status 5 years or less post insult, focusing primarily on gross neurologic status as opposed to more subtle neurocognitive deficits. The present case tracks the neuropsychological profile of a chil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 2002-05, Vol.8 (4), p.588-595
Main Authors: HUGHES, SUSANNAH KURY, NILSSON, DAVID E., BOYER, RICHARD S., BOLTE, ROBERT G., HOFFMAN, ROBERT O., LEWINE, JEFFERY D., BIGLER, ERIN D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Achievement
Anoxia
Brain - pathology
Brain - physiopathology
Case reports
CASE STUDY
Child, Preschool
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - physiopathology
Cold Temperature
Drowning
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetoencephalography
Near-drowning
Neurodevelopment
Neuropsychological Tests
Pediatric brain injury
Psychomotor Disorders - diagnosis
Severity of Illness Index
Time Factors
Water
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Summary:There is little longitudinal data examining outcome of pediatric near-drowning. Most literature tracks status 5 years or less post insult, focusing primarily on gross neurologic status as opposed to more subtle neurocognitive deficits. The present case tracks the neuropsychological profile of a child who was submerged for 66 min, the longest time documented. Acute medical support was aggressive, and recovery was dramatic, being featured in multiple media reports. Although an article published 6 years after the near-drowning described the child as “recovering completely,” the longitudinal profile indicates a pronounced pattern of broad cognitive difficulties, particularly notable for global memory impairment. Neuropsychological test results were significant despite the fact that the patient's recent MRI and MEG were within normal limits. This case demonstrates the need for long-term neuropsychological follow-up of pediatric patients with histories of neurologic injury, as gross neurological examination and MRI and MEG scans may not reveal underlying brain dysfunction. (JINS, 2002, 8, 588–595.)
ISSN:1355-6177
1469-7661
DOI:10.1017/S1355617702814370