The CXR shows small patchy basilar pulmonary infiltrates. She improves clinically and her chest radiograph is repeated two days later. View follow-up chest radiograph. Her chest radiograph is now normal. Discussion Drowning is defined as death within 24 hours as a result of submersion.
Hypoxia is the primary problem.
The clinical manifestations of hypoxia are related to both the severity of hypoxia and the differing abilities of individual organs to tolerate hypoxia. The brain cortex is the first to sustain irreversible damage. The lower brain is next. When submerged in icy cold water, the body temperature drops rapidly to a point where body activity and metabolism come to a virtual standstill. If this standstill develops before available oxygen is completely used, the hypothermia confers a protective effect.