ABSTRACT
A 16-year retrospective autopsy-based study (1992–2008) was undertaken by the department of forensic medicine of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal to ascertain the profile of fatal organophosphorus compound poisoning in the paediatric age group. Out of 2532 autopsies performed during the period, twenty-four victims formed the material for the study. The age group of 13–18 years was most commonly affected, with a significant male preponderance. Many of the cases were suicidal in nature. Nearly half of the victims survived for a period of more than a day after consuming poison. A seasonal variation was noticed, with many cases being reported in the summer months.
ABSTRACT
Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs in modern medical practice. A case is reported where a young male was found dead in his room. No significant external injuries were present on the body, but intracranial haemorrhages were seen on internal examination during autopsy. Chemical analysis of relevant viscera and body fluids revealed the presence of alcohol and a benzodiazepine compound, although the exact nature and concentration of the latter could not be established. The cause of death was furnished as death due to benzodiazepine overdose.
ABSTRACT
A twelve year retrospective review of poisoning fatalities was undertaken in the tertiary care referral hospital of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, South India. Of the 1917 cases of forensic autopsies conducted, 372 cases (79.4%) were due to poisoning deaths. There was an increasing trend observed in the number of poisoning deaths from the period 1993-94 to 1999-2000, followed by a declining trend during 2003-04. Ninety two percent of the fatalities were due to self-poisoning, with 77% due to pesticide consumption. Majority of the cases occurred in the rural areas during winter season. Many of the decedents were men (73.1%) in their 3rd decade of life. Suggestions are being offered on the basis of this study for the control of pesticide poisoning.
ABSTRACT
Snakebite is of grave concern in most parts of India. Being a tropical country with an extensive coastline, India is home to a variety of snakes both poisonous and non-poisonous. This is a retrospective research study conducted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, which is a tertiary care teaching hospital situated in Coastal Karnataka, South India. During a three-year period starting from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2003, one hundred and twenty six cases of snakebites that were admitted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal were studied. The commonest age group affected was 21-30 years with a male preponderance (66.7%). The victims were agriculturists in 54 cases. Most of the bites occurred during summer. Bites occurred when the victim was outdoors in 72.2% of the cases. Lower limb was commonly involved. Double fang mark was seen in 47.6% of the cases. Non-poisonous snakebite was seen in 38.1% of the cases. One hundred and twenty patients survived, and 6 persons died, representing a mortality of 4.8%.
ABSTRACT
The main objective of this study was to collect data with regard to the pattern of acute methyl parathion poisoning in this part of the world. One hundred and fifty three patients with organophosphate poisoning presented to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal between January 2001 and December 2002, out of which 58 cases (37.9%) were due to methyl parathion exposure. The commonest reason for poisoning was suicide (98.2%). A significant proportion of victims were male (72.4%), many in the 21–30 years age group (43.1%). In 77.5% of the cases, the poisoning incident occurred during daytime. Manifestations were predominantly muscarinic in nature, and the median value of serum pseudocholinesterase at admission was 2407.5 IU/L. Respiratory failure was the commonest complication (41.2%). 25.8% of the cases ended in death, and 40% of these succumbed within 24 hours of exposure.