Citation

Eakins S, Mulligan L, Han Suyin K. Ir. Med. J. 2021; 114(4).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Winstone Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aim The forensic pathology services of the Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) are occasionally requested following the sudden death of a child. This review aims to determine the relevance of forensic pathologists in child death investigations in Ireland, adherence by the OSP to paediatric autopsy guidelines and to analyse the causes of these children's deaths.

METHODS A retrospective review of all paediatric cases referred to the OSP from 2012-2017 was conducted. Relevant information was recorded using Microsoft Excel©.

RESULTS There were 79 cases included in this review. 61 cases (77%) were referred as suspicious deaths while 18 cases (23%) were referred without documented reason. Paediatric pathologists (PP) were involved in 22 cases (28%). The commonest cause of death in children under the age of three was natural disease (79%). Most of the paediatric autopsy standards were reached by the OSP but there were some shortcomings identified, particularly in cases not involving a PP.

CONCLUSION Based on the findings that autopsy guidelines are better adhered to when a PP performs the autopsy, coupled with the higher incidence of natural causes of death in children aged under three, all paediatric deaths, unless a forensic element is apparent, should be referred to a PP in the first instance. © 2021, Irish Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; homicide; suicide; child; drowning; female; infant; male; autopsy; head injury; subdural hematoma; traffic accident; retrospective study; drug intoxication; human experiment; sudden death; pathologist; Article; bronchopneumonia; lung burn; epiglottitis