Translate 
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the correlation between pulmonary fat embolism (PFE), blunt force trauma and the effects of resuscitation in pediatric fatalities. Data for this study covered deaths of 57 children aged 0 to 10 years, which underwent full autopsy at the Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine from 2019 to 2023. Variables collected included anamnestic information on the presence of trauma (accidental, non-accidental), fracture and fatty tissue crushing extent, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - with and without intraosseous catheter - and the grade of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE) according to Falzi et al. RESULTS: The study analyzed 57 pediatric autopsy cases and found that PFE occurred more frequently in cases with both trauma and resuscitation, particularly when intraosseous catheters were used. Fat tissue crushing extent and fracture extent correlated with PFE development, while CPR alone did not. Notably, PFE could arise without fractures, likely due to fatty tissue crushing, and the highest PFE grades were observed in trauma cases with extensive fat crushing. PFE can arise without fractures, likely from fatty tissue crushing alone. CPR with intraosseous catheters, correlated with moderate PFE (Falzi grade 2), but CPR alone did not strongly predict PFE in children.
Highlights
Fat embolism, defined as the presence of fat particles in the vascular system, respectively in the pulmonary or peripheral circulation, can occur among other things following various traumas and different medical interventions
This study aims to investigate the correlation between the occurrence of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE) in instances of blunt force trauma including mechanical methods of resuscitation, in order to better understand their associations in children
We retrospectively studied all cases of deceased children between 0 and 10 years of age admitted to the Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine between 2019 and 2023, which underwent full autopsy
Summary
Fat embolism, defined as the presence of fat particles in the vascular system, respectively in the pulmonary or peripheral circulation, can occur among other things following various traumas and different medical interventions. Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland entrapped in the pulmonary capillary bed They can migrate to other organs, including the brain and liver, via arteriovenous shunts, leading to the development of a fat embolism syndrome (FES). Variables collected included anamnestic information on the presence of trauma (accidental, non-accidental), fracture and fatty tissue crushing extent, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - with and without intraosseous catheter - and the grade of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE) according to Falzi et al Results The study analyzed 57 pediatric autopsy cases and found that PFE occurred more frequently in cases with both trauma and resuscitation, when intraosseous catheters were used. CPR with intraosseous catheters, correlated with moderate PFE (Falzi grade 2), but CPR alone did not strongly predict PFE in children
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Paper version not known (
Free)
Published Version
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
