Childhood Near-Death Experiences

Among 11 children aged 3 to 16 who survived critical illnesses such as cardiac arrest and profound coma, 7 reported memories from when they were unconscious, including out-of-body experiences, entering darkness, being in a tunnel, and deciding to return to their body. In contrast, none of 29 age-matched children who survived illnesses requiring intubation and intensive care had any such memories. The near-death experiences (NDEs) were clearly linked to surviving a critical illness and resembled those reported in adults, though no children described depersonalization. The authors suggest a core NDE may be a natural developmental experience triggered by dying or resuscitation and propose a neurophysiologic hypothesis for its cause.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We nonselectively interviewed 11 patients aged 3 through 16 years who had survived critical illnesses, including cardiac arrests and profound comas. Any memory of a time they were unconscious was considered to be a near-death experience (NDE) and was recorded. Seven of these children had memories that included being out of the physical body (six patients), entering darkness (five patients), being in a tunnel (four patients), and deciding to return to the body (three patients). We also interviewed 29 age-matched survivors of illnesses that required intubation, narcotics, benzodiazepines, and admission to an intensive care unit. None of them had any memories of the time they were unconscious. In our study population, NDEs were clearly associated with surviving a critical illness. The elements of NDEs reported are similar to those previously described in adults. No children described elements of depersonalization as part of their NDEs. A core NDE, triggered by the process of dying or resuscitation efforts, may be a natural developmental experience. We present a neurophysiologic hypothesis as to the cause of NDEs.