부산대학교 도서관

AIM: This retrospective study was conducted to determine the general features of childhood deaths due to electrocution, and draw the attention of community to these preventable deaths. METHODS: The autopsy records of the Morgue of the Adana Branch of the Turkish Forensic Medicine Council were used. Thirty-seven cases of childhood (under 18) electrocution during the period 1999–2004 were analyzed. RESULTS: Electrocution deaths comprised 0.8% of all the medico-legal autopsy cases (4515) during these 6 years. Thirty-one (83.8%) of the victims were male and only six (16.2%) were female. They were between 18 months and 18 years of age, and the mean age was 11.35, and all deaths were recorded as accidental. CONCLUSION: Medical units, and paramedical and educational centres should play important roles in formulating public health strategies to tackle preventable deaths such as electrocution.