Abstract
The authors report the unique case of an 8-day-old infant succumbing to heat stroke caused by an abnormal increase of the environmental temperature in an incubator. At postmortem examination, second-degree burns were detected, and macroscopic and microscopic findings were typical for a heat-related death. An immunohistochemical study was performed. At the same time, a detailed examination of the incubator was conducted, revealing a malfunctioning of the temperature and relative humidity control system. We suggest that the diagnosis of heat stroke has to be confirmed on the basis of a detailed postmortem examination and a complete immunohistochemical investigation of heat shock proteins, molecules produced acutely in response to heat stress.
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Fineschi, V., D’Errico, S., Neri, M. et al. Heat stroke in an incubator: an immunohistochemical study in a fatal case. Int J Legal Med 119, 94–97 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0498-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0498-4