Citation

Plenzig S, Held H, Verhoff MA. Rechtsmedizin 2017; 27(3): 191-195.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00194-017-0156-z

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A few publications in the literature have already dealt with bathtub deaths related to pre-existing disease; however, none have so far examined how often the pre-existing disease was previously known in these fatalities, nor have there been attempts to identify possible preventive measures. Our study addresses both of these open issues. Material and methods: From the 13,345 autopsies conducted at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Frankfurt, Germany between 1994 and 2013, the cases from an electronic search that met the inclusion criteria for our study (i.e. corpses found in water-filled bathtubs, complete records and pre-existing internal disorder) were selected and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: For 26 of the 45 individuals included in our study, death was due to natural causes. For 19 individuals with serious pre-existing internal disorders, death was due to drowning. For 38% of the deaths due to natural causes and for 47% of the drowning accidents, the pre-existing disorder that ultimately led to the fatal event had been previously known to the individual.

CONCLUSION: Providing patients at risk, notably those with cardiovascular disorders, acute infections or epilepsy, with adequate medical information about the attendant health risks of taking full baths may help prevent bathtub deaths. © 2017, Springer Medizin Verlag Berlin.

Language: en

Keywords

Autopsy; Cardiovascular disease; Drowning; Natural cause of death; Retrospective study