Coroner Autopsy Findings Among Children and Adolescents of Rivers State of Nigeria

Authors

  • Christopher Obiorah Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
  • Musa Stephen Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
  • Charles Amakiri Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt

Keywords:

Coroner autopsies, childhood and adolescents, accidents and homicides, Rivers State, Nigeria

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.

KEYWORDS

Author Biography

Christopher Obiorah, Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

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Published

2015-12-22

How to Cite

Obiorah, C., Stephen, M., & Amakiri, C. (2015). Coroner Autopsy Findings Among Children and Adolescents of Rivers State of Nigeria. The Nigerian Health Journal, 14(1), 27. Retrieved from https://tnhjph.com/index.php/tnhj/article/view/131

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