chemicals

Mom Warns of Pool Water Danger After Child's Near-Death Experience

Doctors at Sarasota Memorial Hospital diagnosed Elianna with aspiration pneumonia, chemical pneumonitis and perihilar edema

What to Know

  • A mother is warning other parents about the dangers associated with ingesting pool water.
  • A 4-year-old girl was hospitalized after drinking pool water in Bradenton.
  • The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for hospital bills.

A Florida woman says her 4-year-old daughter nearly died after ingesting pool water.

Lacey Grace told NBC affiliate WFLA that her 4-year-old daughter Elianna was  in her grandmother's pool earlier this month playing with a pool noodle. 

“She just happened to put her mouth on the noodle when someone else was picking it up to spray her, and didn’t realize she was on the other end, and pretty forcefully put the water down her mouth. She immediately threw up,” Grace said.

Within 20 minutes, Elianna went back to playing. Four days later, she fell ill and was taken to urgent care with a fever and low appetite. 

Grace says her daughter had a high heart rate, low oxygen and purple skin that suggested a chemical infection. A chest x-ray showed her lungs were swollen, infected and inflamed.

Doctors at Sarasota Memorial Hospital diagnosed Elianna with aspiration pneumonia,  chemical pneumonitis and perihilar edema, Grace said.

Elianna was hospitalized for several days and relied on oxygen to breathe. The young girl is now recovering and Grace is warning other parents about the possible dangers of rrecreational water illnesses (RWIs).

"Be aware," Grace said. "You know your kid better than anybody else. So I knew something was wrong. I just didn't realize it was going to be that bad." 

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family to pay for hospital bills.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can suffer a more severe illness from recreational waters, including hot tubs, water parks, water play areas and interactive fountains. 

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