Journal of Forensic Research

Validity of Pathologic Comment with Macroscopic and Microscopic Findings of Infant Lung Regarding Live or Still Birth

Abstract

Nursen Turan, Isil Pakis, Riza Yilmaz and Elif Gunce

Objective: In the case of a newly born infant, either stillborn or found dead, the state of the lungs is of particular forensic interest. The aim of this study was to determine whether lungs are adequate for pathological comment about stillbirth or live birth of infant.

Material and Methods: In order to evaluate the relevance of totally 171 autopsy reports of infants, macroscopic and microscopic findings, and body measures at autopsy, microscopic investigations on the degree of alveolar expansion performed on the lung specimens, were obtained.

Results: The lung filled the thoracic cavity and covered the anterior surface of the heart in 45 (26.37%) cases and didn’t fill the thoracic cavity and presented at the back side of the thoracic cavity in 56 (32.7%) of the cases. In total 40 histological sections, 19 (47.5%) uniform, 10 (25%) semi-collapsed, 11 (27.5%) collapsed alveoli sections in shape, 11 ( 28.2 %) amnion aspiration, 9 (23.1%) mild amnion aspiration, 9 (23.1%) moderate amnion aspiration, 10 (25.6%) evident amnion aspiration, 22 (57.9%) pulmonary emphysema were determined.

Conclusion: Macroscopical findings of infant lungs with combination of histological findings were more formative than their histological findings alone in the assesment of still or live birth of an infant.