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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 12, Issue 2, September 2014 pp 243-246

Research Article

A prospective autopsy based study of sudden natural non-traumatic deaths in a rural district

Khetre R R1*, Batra A K2, Shrigiriwar M B3, Kuchewar S V4, Jambure M P5

1Assistant Professor, Department of FMT, Government Medical College, Latur, Maharashtra, INDIA.

2Professor and Head, Department of FMT, Government Medical College, Akola, Maharashtra, INDIA.

3Professor and Head, 4Assistant Professor , Department of FMT, V. N. Government Medical College, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, INDIA.

5Assistant Professor, Department of FMT, MGM Medical College, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, INDIA.

 

Abstract

 

Introduction: Sudden natural death, especially when it occurs in an apparently healthy person, can have a great impact on society. Sudden natural deaths undoubtedly constitute a significant portion of deaths which undergo autopsy for investigation of death. Therefore, a prospective autopsy based study of sudden natural non-traumatic deaths (SNND) was decided to determine age, sex and system wise involvement. Aims and Objectives: The study was aimed to find out the burden (percentage) of sudden natural non-traumatic deaths and also to determine age, sex and body system wise involvement. Material and Methods: This prospective autopsy based study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Shri V. N. Government Medical College, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India. During study period from 1st October, 2010 to 31st August, 2012, total 1711 medico-legal autopsies were conducted in the department, of which those cases which were turned out to be sudden natural non-traumatic deaths (SNND) were studied. Observations and Results: The burden (percentage) of SNND cases was 7.3% (125/1711). Total SNND cases were 125, out of which maximum number of cases i.e. 72 (57.6%) were seen in the age group of 21 to 50 years. The average age of SNND was 37.5 ± 18.5 years for both sexes. Amongst 125 cases, maximum i.e. 92 (73.6%) were males and 33 (26.4%) were females. The male to female ratio was 2.8:1. Out of total 125 cases of SNND, maximum i.e. 41 (32.8%) cases were of cardiovascular causes followed by 32 (25.6%) due to respiratory causes. 17 (13.6%) cases were of central nervous causes, 20 (16%) were of gastrointestinal causes, 05 (04%) due to genitourinary causes and 10 (08%) were of miscellaneous causes. System wise differences in male and female cases was found to be statistically significant (χ2=17.22, p= 0.004105). An age group wise difference in male and female cases was found to be statistically significant (χ2= 21.38, p= 0.003246) Conclusion: Sudden death was the most common indication in natural deaths for medico-legal autopsy. Burden of sudden natural non-traumatic death (SNND) cases was 7.3%. So, it is the need of time to implement necessary steps to reduce this burden. SNND cases had male preponderance and target age group for maximum SNND cases was 21 to 50 years. Cardiovascular system was most vulnerable. Survival period, rapidity of death and their frequent occurrence must be considered in planning emergency referral, transport and emergency and super speciality medical services to cope with immediate events prior to death.