Coroner Autopsy Findings Among Children and Adolescents of Rivers State of Nigeria
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Abstract
Background: Children / adolescents face avoidable deaths in Nigeria. This 11-year retrospective study of coroner autopsies carried out on children / adolescents aged between 0-19 years, evaluated the pattern, causes and demographic features of childhood deaths in Rivers state, Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective review of case records of decedents' gender, age, and circumstances were of death and autopsy-defined causes of death in Port Harcourt were analyzed.
Results: Children /adolescents constituted 11.4% of 1,987 cases reviewed. The age range was 3 weeks to 19years and the mean was 14.4years. Adolescents, 15-19 years were most affected constituting 65.5% of cases. Male female ratio was 1.7:1. Accidents with 39.8% were the commonest manner of death followed by homicides (38.5%) and sudden natural deaths (12.8%). Maternal deaths and suicides constituted 7.1% and 1.8% respectively. Accidents, mainly of the road traffic type and homicides resulting from firearm injuries are significant causes of sudden deaths among children and adolescents of Rivers state.
Conclusion: Instituting measures aimed at improving care of children and adolescents, especially during out-door activities will reduce the largely preventable deaths observed among this age group.
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