Patterns and Causes of Child Deaths in Medicolegal Cases: A Cross-Sectional Review from Two Tertiary Hospitals in Dhaka
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Abstract
Background: Child mortality is a significant public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the patterns and causes of child deaths from a medicolegal perspective is vital for prevention and policymaking. Objective: To explore the patterns, manners, and causes of child deaths reported for medicolegal examination in two tertiary hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective review was conducted using 112 medicolegal records of deceased children (aged 0–18 years) from Dhaka Medical College and Sir Salimullah Medical College between January and December 2024. Data were extracted from autopsy registers and postmortem reports, including age, sex, manner of death, and cause of death. Results: Most deaths occurred in the 11–15 years age group (24.1%), with a male predominance (58.9%). Accidental deaths were the most common (38.4%), followed by undetermined (23.2%), natural (15.2%), suicidal (13.4%), and homicidal (9.8%) deaths. Leading causes included road traffic accidents (18.8%), drowning (15.2%), blunt trauma (13.4%), and hanging (9.8%). Suicides were mainly observed in adolescents, while homicides were more frequent in children under 10 years. Conclusion: The majority of child deaths reviewed were preventable and associated with external causes. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to suicide, while younger children face risks of homicide and accidents. The findings underscore the need for child protection policies, mental health support, injury prevention strategies, and improved forensic investigation systems in Bangladesh.
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