Autopsy findings and electrolytes changes in cases of drowning

Background: Drowning is a main universal community health problem. In Medico- Legal practice the autopsy diagnosis of drowning presents one of the major problems especially when there is delay in recovering the victim from water. This study concentrates on gathering the autopsy findings with the electrolytes changes between the right and left ventricles to reach more accurate diagnosis of drowning. Objective: To determine the diagnostic features of drowning depending on the autopsy findings enforced by changes in electrolytes concenteration(Specially Chloride) between the right and left ventricle. Methods: This study was performed at Medico-legal Directorate (MLD) in Baghdad for (12) month’ s within the period from 1/1/2018 - 31/12/2018. Full proper autopsy including external and internal examination of the body for all cases was performed, after obtaining complete medico-legal history, in addition to determination of Chloride levels difference between the blood of right and left venricle of the heart to determine the cause of the death as due to drowning. Results: The study included (60) cases, (52) male and (8) female with their ages ranged between (15-44years old) for male , while ages ranged between (1- 44years old) for females . Drowning is causes of death in all cases. Among the most important results of this study is the presence of froth around the nose and in air passage, emphysema quorum in almost all cases of drowning. there was a difference in the concentration of chloride between the right and left sides of the heart that difference is less than 25 mg /100ml. Conclusion: Drowning is the 10th cause of violent deaths in Baghdad. Corrugation and froth are the most common autopsy finding. Differnce in chloride concentration between the right and left ventricles adds an other important point in the diagnosis ogf drowning toghether with the autopsy findings.