The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Mar 2006
Pediatric drowning: a 20-year review of autopsied cases: II. Pathologic features.
The pathologic findings in autopsies of drowning victims are nonspecific and vary from case to case. However, most reported pathologic series of drowning cases exclude children and do not take into consideration the unique circumstances surrounding bathtub drownings. In addition, the effect of resuscitation on the autopsy findings has not been studied in children. ⋯ There was no relationship between these findings and the age and sex of the decedent. Other clinical conditions or occult pathologic findings that may have contributed to death were found in 8 cases (13%). The findings highlight the need for thorough clinicopathologic correlation in cases of drowning to accurately interpret the pathologic findings.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Mar 2006
Case ReportsSudden unexpected death in a child with varicella caused by necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
A 4-year-old child with chickenpox infection for 5 days prior to death complained of swelling and pain in his right leg that required medical assistance in the emergency department. Radiologic study was normal, and analgesic and bandage of the leg were prescribed. Some hours later, he presented cyanosis, dizziness, and vomiting and collapsed. ⋯ Bacterial emboli were present in most of the tissues. Microbiologic cultures of blood and cerebrospinal fluid showed group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Death was attributed to fulminant streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, with necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of varicella.