Questionable child deaths in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Retrospective Study

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

Mohamed Mahdy¹  Adel Al-Shehri²  Norah Al-Shehri²  Samah F. Ibrahim³  Abeer Qattan³ 

[1] Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt;Forensic Medicine Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

关键词: Forensic medicine;    Questionable child deaths;    Riyadh;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s41935-017-0033-7

学科分类：生理学与病理学

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Despite the efforts of the governmental child protection programs, child fatalities due to maltreatment remain a serious problem in Arab countries. This retrospective study identified 87 as a total questionable child death (QCD) cases in Riyadh, the capital of Kingdome of Saudi Arabia. 52 victims (60%) were Saudi children. Nearly one-third (29%) of the cases involved the death of children ages 1–5. 21 QCDs occurred in middle and the eastern regions of the country. QCDs were most commonly reported as accidental (29%), followed by homicidal (25%). A parent was the main assailant in (38%) of the homicidal cases, and the child’s relative was reported in (18%). Wounds were detected as the cause of death in 39 cases (45%). Upon examination, child negligence was reported or observed in 5 cases. This study provides appropriate data for planning preventive measures.

【 授权许可】

CC BY