Autopsy study of pediatric deaths.
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2002-01-06
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Childhood autopsies occurring during January 1997 to December 1999 were reviewed.
METHOD: Of the total 1,445 deaths autopsied, 441 (30.5%) were of pediatric patients.
RESULT: Of these deaths, 70.3% occurred during neonatal period, 8.6% in infancy, and 21.1% in childhood. Birth asphyxia (57.7%) was the most frequent mode of death in the neonatal period. Infections (67.2%) predominantly accounted for infant and childhood mortality, those of respiratory tract (46.1%) being most frequent in infancy, early and mid childhood, and enteric fever in late childhood (33.3%). Discrepancy between ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnosis occurred in 29 cases (6.6%).
CONCLUSION: Autopsy is an important clinical tool providing useful information to the physician. Few published reports are available on pediatric autopsies. This study aims to help in a better understanding of causes of deaths in neonates, infants and children.
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Dalal SR, Jadhav MV, Deshmukh SD. Autopsy study of pediatric deaths. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2002 Jan; 69(1): 23-5