Premium
Sudden natural death in childhood. A review of forensic autopsy protocols in cases of sudden death between the ages of one and five years, 1982–1991, with a special view to sudden unexplained death
Author(s) -
HelwegLarsen Karin,
Garde Ellen
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1993.tb12613.x
Subject(s) - medicine , autopsy , sudden death , natural death , cause of death , homicide , pediatrics , forensic science , disease , poison control , injury prevention , emergency medicine , medical emergency , pathology , veterinary medicine
All cases of sudden death of individuals between the ages of one and five years examined at the Forensic Institute, Copenhagen, in a 10‐year period were identified to assess the impact of sudden unexplained death in this age group. Of a total of 68 cases, 27 cases were due to accidents, there were 13 cases of homicide, 27 cases were sudden natural deaths and in 1 case the manner of death was uncertain. The autopsy records and histological sections in the 27 cases of natural death were reviewed; the cause of death was not explained in 11 of these cases (40%). Seven cases were previously considered to be caused by infectious disease or aspiration. Criteria for classification are discussed.