Epidemiology of unintentional drowning and near-drowning in Denmark in 1995.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pattern of accidental drowning and near-drowning in Denmark.


METHODS
Prospective study of all cases of accidental drowning and near-drowning during one year.


METHODS
Denmark, 1995.


METHODS
All patients brought to Danish hospitals after incidents of unintentional near-drowning or cooling in water and all fatal cases.


METHODS
Number of near-drowned patients reported prospectively by hospital departments supplemented by cases reported after requests based on the National Patient Register. Number of drownings reported by public health medical officers (as medical examiners), institutes of forensic medicine, and hospitals.


RESULTS
Sixty three (38%) of 167 unintentionally immersed persons died: eight (17%) of 47 children and 55 (46%) of 120 adults. The annual incidence of serious immersion events in children leading to hospital contact was 5.2/100,000; mortality was 0.7/100,000. For adult males the annual incidence of serious unintentional immersions was 4.3/100,000 and for females 1.2/100,000. For foreigners the risk was three to four times higher than for Danes.


CONCLUSIONS
More attention should be paid to the risk of drowning in children, adult males, and foreigners.
Lindholm
P
P
Odense University Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Denmark.
Steensberg
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004332:Drowning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015701:Near Drowning / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013550:Swimming / Q000706:statistics & numerical data