Profile of Autopsy Cases at District Hospital, South India in Pandemic Year 2020

Abstract

Autopsy profile is one of the essential inputs for National Statistics. It gives an insight into the prevailing unnatural causes of death in the vicinity and subsequently helps stake holders take appropriate measures to prevent the same. The present study was conducted in district hospital, South India in the pandemic year, 2020. A total of 808 medico legal autopsies were conducted in Government District Hospital, Tumkur which is high in spite of pandemic and lockdown in place. Among them majority of victims were male constituting 78.85% and females attributing to 21.15% of total cases. Manner of death was analysed and accidental deaths formed the major chunk of cases comprising of 351 cases (43.44%). Suicidal deaths comprised of 35.87 % of cases and homicide deaths accounted for 3.71% of cases. Among males maximum number of cases was recorded in fourth decade with 147 cases. While in females maximum cases fell in third decade of life with 51 cases. Road traffic accident was the prime most cause of death with 241 cases comprising of 30% of total cases. Second most common cause was hanging with 137 cases comprising 17% of total cases. Surprisingly natural deaths constituted third most common cause with 125 cases comprising of 15% of the cases. Majority of cases were reported in middle age group 21-50 years which form the bread winner group. With adequate safety precautions and counselling these unnatural deaths could be prevented.