f. Cardiac dysrhythmias.
g. Cerebral edema.
3-14. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE
A five-year-old Canadian boy was found totally immersed in water. He had been
immersed for 30 minutes. He was unconscious, had no heart rate for five to ten
minutes, pupils were dilated, skin was blue, and there was no respiration. Mouth-to-
mouth resuscitation was started immediately, and blankets were wrapped around him at
the hospital. Rectal temperature at the hospital was 81F. He was then immersed in a
hot-water bath repeatedly for ten minutes at a time. He was intubated and given 100
percent oxygen. Initially, his color changed from cyanosis (blue) to mottled. The skin
color improved soon due to the oxygen. After 1 1/2 hours, the boy's temperature had
risen to 93.9F, and he was beginning to respond. The pulse was steady without
arrhythmias. During the first 48 hours, he had neurologic defects. Coordination was
poor, and motor power in the extremities was poor. After three months, his muscular
weakness slowly disappeared, and he recovered completely.
MD0587
3-9