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Table 4 Neurological outcome of children with an initial GCS < 8

From: Retrospective evaluation of prehospital triage, presentation, interventions and outcome in paediatric drowning managed by a physician staffed helicopter emergency medical service

Age

Asystole first reported rhythm

Initial GCS

Cardiac output on ED arrival

Outcome

PCPC score

Outcome Comments

5.3

Y

3

N

Died ED

6

 

1.1

Y

3

N

Died ED

6

 

1.5

Y

3

N

Died ED

6

 

3.5

Y

3

N

Died ED

6

 

2.0

Y

3

N

Died ED

6

 

2.5

Y

3

N

Died day 4

6

MRI- multiple areas of infarction involving brain stem, deep nuclei and cortex

2.8

Y

3

Y

Died day 2

6

Bradycardic on ED arrival, MRI- diffusely swollen brain, transtentorial and foramen magnum herniation, no arterial or venous flow

6.4

Y

3

Y

Died day 2

6

MRI extensive cerebral and cerebellar oedema with BG and brainstem involvement. Tonsillar herniation. No flow on MRA

7.7

Y

3

Y

Died day 2

6

CT complete loss grey- white matter differentiation, herniation of cerebellar tonsils

1.2

Y

3

Y

Died day 9

6

MR bilateral globus pallidus, hippocampal and bilateral cortical areas of ischaemic injury. No purposeful movements, occasional breaths, intensive care withdrawn.

3.5

Y

3

Y

Died 17 months

6

At 3 months - severe spastic quadriplegia with bulbar palsy, incomprehensible sounds. Died at 17 months

1.3

Y

3

Y

Neurological impairment

4

At 6 months - significant dystonia, trunk hypotonia, epilepsy

1.0

Y

3

Y

Normal

1

CT - early cerebral oedema, MRI no diffusion restriction. Early seizures on PICU. At 18 months -normal neurological and developmental exam

1.7

N

3

Y

Neurological impairment

3

Pre accident diagnosed Aspergers and ADHD. At 1 month – right sided weakness, loss of language. At 3 ½ years - distractible, special help at school

2.2

N

5

Y

Normal

1

At 12 months -ahead in development

2.8

N

5

Y

Normal

1

At 11 months -Normal function

1.2

N

5

Y

Normal

1

Tonic clonic seizures in PICU. At 1 yr 5 months development normal.

2.1

N

6

Y

Normal

1

No neurological deficit at discharge

3.9

N

6

Y

Normal

1

At 7 months normal behavior and skills

9.9

N

6

Y

Baseline*

 

*Had seizure disorder, autism, ADHD, moderate –severe disability before accident. Returned to baseline state.

1.3

N

7

Y

Neurological impairment

3

At 2 yrs - behaviour problems, aggression, repetitive movements/routines

1.9

N

7

Y

Normal

1

No neurological deficit at discharge

  1. *Patient not neurologically normal at follow up but had returned to pre-incident baseline