Demographic Study of Unnatural Deaths in Paediatric Age Group in General Hospital, Khammam

Authors

  • N. Devchand
  • A. Krishnanjaneyulu
  • Raja Sekhar Uppu
  • Uday Pal Singh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i1.17421

Keywords:

Demographic study, Unnatural pediatric deaths, Post mortem examination, Road traffic accients, Socio economic status.

Abstract

Introduction: The data regarding pediatric deaths are very limited particularly in developing countries
due to lacunae in death registration system. The present study is a retrospective study regarding the
causes which resulted in the deaths of children in pediatric age group from 0-12 yrs with an aim to know
the overall incidence, the causes of death and manner of death. Unnatural childhood deaths are not only
associated with intense trauma and distress, but also indicates a sense of self neglect to protect children
from harm. The unnatural deaths may be due to unintentional or intentional acts.
Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective demographic study of unnatural deaths among
pediatric age group children between 0-12 years. All the unnatural deaths that were autopsied at the
mortuary, General Hospital, Khammam of Telangana state for a period of 2 years from August 2012
to July 2014 were studied based on inquest, post mortem examination findings to know the profile of
paediatric deaths.
Results and Conclusion: A total of 1283 cases were autopsied during the study period and out of that
2.4% of cases are unnatural deaths in pediatric age group of 0-12 years. The most commonly involved
are male children in the age groups of the cases observed were between 3- 6 years and 9-12 years,
the least involved age group was between 0- 3 years. Most common manner of death is accidental
amounting to about 93.3%.Most common cause of death was due to road traffic accidents. These deaths
are common in the rural population belonging to the low socio economic status.

Author Biographies

  • N. Devchand

    Assistant Professor , Dept of Forensic Medicine, Govt Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

  • A. Krishnanjaneyulu


    Assistant Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine, Govt Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

  • Raja Sekhar Uppu

    Assistant Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine, Govt Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh,

  • Uday Pal Singh

    Professor, Dept of Forensic Medicine, Mamata Medical College, Khammam, Telangana

Downloads

Published

2021-11-02

How to Cite

Demographic Study of Unnatural Deaths in Paediatric Age Group in General Hospital, Khammam. (2021). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 16(1), 83-88. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i1.17421