Medicolegal childhood deaths in Benin City, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Children under the age of 15 years constitute over 40% of the population in developing countries of the world including Nigeria. Deaths in this age group also contribute over 40% of total mortality in the general population; a significant proportion of these deaths is of medicolegal importance.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and pattern of medicolegal deaths during childhood period.


METHODS
The study was a retrospective analysis of all autopsies performed in children less than 15 years of age by the Police Pathologist attached to the Police Medical Unit in Benin City between January 1998 and December 2002. We analysed the deaths by age, sex, and circumstance of death.


RESULTS
Ninety-four medicolegal deaths occurred in children under 15 years of age during the period under review. Eighty (85.1%) were sudden unnatural deaths (SUDs) while 14(14.9%) were sudden unexpected natural deaths (SUNDs). Causes of SUDs were accidents 72 (90%), homicides seven (8.8%) and suicide one (1.2%). The major causes of SUNDs were infections seven (50%) and haemodynamic disorders three (21.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Preventable accidental deaths make up most of the medicolegal childhood deaths in our environment. These deaths can be reduced if adequate measures backed up by favourable government policies are put in place.
Police Medicals, Police Headquarters, Benin City, Nigeria and Department of Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City Nigeria. email wilakh@yahoo.com.
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Akhiwu
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Igbe
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Obaseki
D000059:Accidents / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D001344:Autopsy; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013405:Suicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population