Publication:

Refractory dystonia with intracerebral hematoma after drowning

Drowning in children can have devastating consequences. The risk factors are inadequate supervision, seizure disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, and cardiovascular disease. The duration of submersion is critical in determining outcomes. The lack of consensus guidelines on pediatric submersion injuries invites difficulty in managing the same. There is a lack of robust evidence on therapeutic hypothermia and, the use of pulmonary surfactants and barbiturates to improve clinical outcomes in such injuries. We present a case of a drowned child in cardiac arrest revived after resuscitation, developing sepsis, seizures, severe dystonia, and intracranial bleeding with hypoxic brain injury requiring vigorous management.