A 5-Year Retrospective Study on Infant Homicide Presenting as Cot Death: Are We Missing Infant Homicides?
Journal
The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
ISSN: 1533-404X
Titre abrégé: Am J Forensic Med Pathol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8108948
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 Dec 2021
01 Dec 2021
Historique:
pubmed:
1
6
2021
medline:
23
11
2021
entrez:
31
5
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Being found dead in cot or bed is the most common presentation encountered with infant deaths. These deaths are often associated with unsafe sleep environment. The postmortem examination in such cases is often negative, and along with family objections, cultural, and other factors, may lead to a coroner considering not authorizing a postmortem examination. However, not identifying a homicide is a potential risk if a postmortem examination is not performed. This 5-year retrospective study investigated the proportion of infant homicide death initially presenting as cot death. Of a total of 103 cases of infants initially presenting as being found dead in cot or bed, 3 (approximately 3%) were classified as homicides after postmortem examination. During the study period, a total of 9 infant homicides were reported, translating to 33% (3 of 9) of infant homicides presented as cot deaths. Postmortem radiology was a valuable adjunct, but was unable to recognize 2 of the homicide cases with traumatic head injuries (with subdural hemorrhage and brain injury only). We strongly advocate that all infant deaths presenting as cot death require a full postmortem examination.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34054016
doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000693
pii: 00000433-202112000-00003
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
324-327Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors report no conflict of interest.
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