Citation

Lignitz E, Henn V. Rechtsmedizin 2014; 24(1): 53-67.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00194-013-0933-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

During childbirth uterine rupture, atony and bleeding can cause death. In the lying-in period dangers can result mainly from thrombosis and/or thromboembolism. Maternal death indirectly due to gestation is the result of new or pre-existing illnesses which rapidly develop during pregnancy with a fatal outcome. The evaluation of an iatrogenic maternal death should be based on knowledge of all medical specialized fields involved in treatment and not on the forensic pathological evidence alone. Cases of death due to accidents, suicide and homicide are summarized as maternal death not associated with gestation and the majority of non-gestational deaths are caused by accidents. Investigation of fatalities during pregnancy requires planning of a good strategy and includes the investigation of fetal death and stillbirth. The investigation is incomplete without the investigation of the placenta, amnion and umbilical cord and only complete investigations permit a final medical assessment. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Language: de

Keywords

human; homicide; suicide; female; accident; maternal mortality; pregnancy; article; treatment planning; human tissue; health care facility; fatality; medical assessment; Hemorrhage; stillbirth; childbirth; amnion fluid embolism; uterus rupture; fetus death; postpartum hemorrhage; placenta; amnion; Amniotic fluid embolism; Stillbirth; umbilical cord; uterine atony; Uterine atony; Uterine rupture