Diagnostic markers of physically abused children in autopsy cases

ABSTRACT

This study was performed on 15 cadavers of physically abused babies to identitydiagnostic markers, particularly at both radiological and histopathologicallevels. For every case, complete external examination and X-ray imaging weredone. Autopsy was performed and histopathological specimens were taken frombrain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and areas of skin containingrecent or old traumatic or pathological lesions. Samples were processed andexamined by light microscopy. Some new changes were revealed, particularly atthe histopathological level including fibrotic changes in both spleen andliver, recent bleeding on top old scars or keloids and papillomatosis of skin. Other diagnostic features were also found such as the string beaded appearanceof malunited fractured ribs, the calcified hematoma and cortical splitting oflong bones, the rheumatoid-like deformity of interpharyngeal joints and thewide- spread cautery burns. In all cases, multiplicity of traumatic lesions[particularly the old ones] was the predominating factor