A girl who doesn't breathe nearly 20 minutes still lives

Every activity in the body of a two-year-old girl stopped when the medical staff pulled her up from the bottom of a water tank in a state of motionlessness. But a few days later, the baby breathed normally at the astonishment of the doctors.

Oluchi was treated at the Royal London Hospital.Photo: Daily Mail.

Last September, little Oluchi Nwaubani, who lives in London, fell into a swimming pool and was only discovered when he was in the bottom of the tank for nearly 20 minutes. When the medical staff arrived, Oluchi was no longer breathing. Victims are taken to London Royal Hospital by helicopter. Oluchi was then transferred to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital for special care.

The scan results showed that Oluchi's brain lacked oxygen for about 18 minutes - three times the amount of time that the human brain could tolerate. Doctors believe the victim's survival is 50%. They also told Oluchi's parents that even if she survived, she probably wouldn't go and speak. Her parents still hope and luckily smiled at them. Three days later Oluchi breathed back and she recovered five months later.

The doctors affirmed Oluchi's recovery was an unprecedented event in the world. "It's been miraculous for children to survive after being submerged, but Oluchi's case is even more amazing because she recovers completely. Although she always expects the best for Oluchi, they I still feel shocked, "said Ffion Davies, a doctor working in the emergency room of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

She recovered completely after 5 months.Photo: BBC.

Many people believe that the rapid response of ambulance and helicopter medical services has increased her chances of survival. Besides, the special care regime at Great Ormond Street Hospital, youth and cold water also contributes to the miracle.

"Many people think that children are weak, but in fact their hearts, lungs and brains are relatively healthy. But the most important thing is: Cold water in the tank slows down the metabolism inside Oluchi's body. , whereby the victim still lives after the brain does not receive oxygen for 18 minutes, " explained Ffion Davies.

According to experts, the child's body temperature drops faster than adults when exposed to water due to the greater percentage of skin on their weight. In most cases, when the body is submerged and unable to take oxygen, brain cells begin to die within 4-5 minutes. Therefore, if survived, the victim will suffer long-term consequences of brain damage, such as slow speech, difficulty moving, and poor awareness.

Oluchi's father said that, apart from saying it was a bit slow, she was now three years old without any unusual expressions compared to the time before the accident.