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Trisomy 21 in forensic autopsies: Review of a 20-year period
- Source :
- Forensic Science International. 297:302-306
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2019.
-
Abstract
- Background Trisomy 21 is the most common human chromosomal abnormality. Its manifestation includes intellectual impairment and more or less typical anatomical malformations and functional deficiencies that can cause sudden or unexpected deaths. Typical medicolegal questions at autopsy are related to medical malpractice, improper care, neglect, or abuse, and, depending on the cause of death, whether the death might have been avoidable. The aim of this study was to examine whether the causes of death in individuals with trisomy 21 were linked to the known health risks for this condition and to consider how these deaths might have been prevented. Material and methods A retrospective study was performed at the Institutes for Legal Medicine in Giessen and Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany. All records for forensic autopsy cases within a 20-year period from 1998 to 2017 were reviewed for the diagnosis trisomy 21”, respectively, “Down’s syndrome”. Results Twenty-three cases complied with the inclusion criteria trisomy 21 and autopsy. The age of the deceased ranged from 23 days to 61 years. Infectious diseases, mainly respiratory, were the leading cause of death, followed by accidental deaths. Conclusion The medicolegal relevance of the known health risks in Down’s syndrome could be illustrated by the autopsy findings and the results of the additional examinations. The known high susceptibility to infections, with an increased risk of a rapid course and lethal outcome, in individuals with Down’s syndrome could be confirmed in our study. A sound knowledge of the risks and abnormalities associated with trisomy 21 are helpful in medicolegal assessments, particularly, in relation to medical malpractice charges.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Pediatrics
Adolescent
media_common.quotation_subject
Medical malpractice
Autopsy
Infections
01 natural sciences
Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Neglect
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
Age Distribution
0302 clinical medicine
Cause of Death
Germany
Chromosomal Abnormality
medicine
Humans
030216 legal & forensic medicine
Sex Distribution
Child
Retrospective Studies
Cause of death
media_common
business.industry
010401 analytical chemistry
Medical jurisprudence
Infant, Newborn
Infant
Retrospective cohort study
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
0104 chemical sciences
Accidents
Child, Preschool
Female
Down Syndrome
Trisomy
business
Law
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 03790738
- Volume :
- 297
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Forensic Science International
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....3ea084d4c954f83b32b74673eb77e3d3