Playing on a swing is a timeless childhood pastime that evokes a sense of freedom, joy and exhilaration. However it comes with its own set of risks and potential dangers. The most dangerous and potentially fatal is accidental strangulation of the child by the ropes and chains of the swing. While strangulation is an important cause of homicidal and suicidal injury in adults and children, in some cases it may be accidental leading to death due to asphyxia.
Two such cases of accidental strangulation by ropes of a swing with very uncanny similarity were admitted recently to the pediatric ICU of Ispat General Hospital of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant.
The first case involved an 11-year-old girl from Jharsuguda who was admitted to IGH in critical condition. She had experienced partial hanging and traumatic asphyxia due to accidental entanglement with the ropes of a swing. Upon arrival, she was in a dire state with altered sensorium and severe respiratory distress. The medical team acted promptly, stabilizing her cervical vertebrae with a neck collar and initiating mechanical ventilation. Further investigations, including X-rays and a CT scan of the neck revealed aspiration pneumonia, and an odontoid fracture. The dedicated efforts of the IGH pediatric team over two days on the ventilator and intensive care resulted in the girl’s recovery. She was discharged after eight days of comprehensive treatment.
The 2nd case was also an 11-year-old female child from Rourkela, who also had an accidental strangulation while playing on the swing. She also presented similarly with altered sensorium, respiratory distress and gasping condition for which she was put on mechanical ventilation for 3 days. Her X-Ray chest also revealed aspiration pneumonia but X ray neck revealed no cervical injury. She was also treated successfully and discharged after 8 days.
These incidents highlight the hidden dangers of a seemingly innocent childhood activity and underscore the importance of safety measures.
