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Review
. 2023 Oct 2;13(19):3111.
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13193111.

Unexplained and Unexpected Pediatric Deaths: Forensic Review and New Perspectives

Isabella Aquila  1 , Matteo Antonio Sacco  1 , Jan Gorniak  2 , Melanie Rouse  2 , Saverio Gualtieri  1 , Fabrizio Cordasco  1 , Alessandro Pasquale Tarallo  1 , Roberto Raffaele  1 , Pietrantonio Ricci  1
Affiliations
Review

Unexplained and Unexpected Pediatric Deaths: Forensic Review and New Perspectives

Isabella Aquila et al. Diagnostics (Basel). .

Abstract

Unexplained and unexpected pediatric deaths are a major challenge in global healthcare. The role of the forensic pathologist is crucial in determining the cause and manner of death in these cases, although to date, there are many limitations in post-mortem diagnosis. The role of the autopsy and related forensic investigations become a fundamental tool to investigate and give an explanation for an unacceptable event, considering the young age of the victims. From this point of view, even today, it is necessary that this phenomenon is correctly recorded through standardized systems and universally accepted methods. Furthermore, it is essential that scientific research on this topic is increased through the implementation of universally accepted operating protocols recognizing real risk factors in order to prevent such events. The purpose of the study is to offer a review of the state of the art about unexplained pediatric death and, above all, to propose an international reporting platform, extending proper investigations not only to judicial cases but also to all the other cases of unexpected pediatric death.

Keywords: autopsy in pediatric death; standardization; unexpected pediatric death; unexplained pediatric death.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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