Prevalence and pattern of suspicious unexpected childhood deaths in Egypt: A five-year medico-legal study (2018–2022)

Abstract

This study examined autopsy records of suspicious unexpected childhood deaths. The cadavers included were of children investigated in the Zeinhom morgue in Cairo, Egypt, from 2018 to 2022. The data was analysed in respect of cause, manner of death, and the relationship between the pattern of death and the offender’s relationship with the victim. Out of a total number of 9621 autopsies, 596 (6.2%) were children. Boys outnumbered girls (59.1% to 40.9%). The majority of deaths occurred in adolescence (195, 32.7%) and late childhood (142, 23.8%). Homicide and suicide were established in 20.1% and 6.9% of victims, with abuse and negligence established in 12.7%. The abuse was predominantly attributed to the bio-father (46.9%), followed by the stepfather (25%), The bio-father and family members were usually responsible for female violations, while the bio-mother was the main offender in cases of male victims.