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Caput succedaneum and facial petechiae—birth-associated injuries in healthy newborns under forensic aspects

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Abstract

In cases of suspected neonaticide, the results of a forensic autopsy might be important for conviction or acquittal. But autopsy findings in dead newborns are often unspecific and can rarely provide corroborative evidence of inflicted injury, as they are known to occur during normal birth as well. In our study, we examined 59 vaginally delivered, healthy newborns within the first 30 min after birth to know more about the prevalence and possible correlations of a caput succedaneum and facial petechiae. Caput succedaneum occurred in 33.9%, facial petechiae in 20.3%. As for the occurrence of caput succedaneum, statistically significant differences could be shown for the duration of delivery and the mother's parity. These correlations could not be shown for the occurrence of facial petechiae. Within the scope of our study, we could demonstrate that neither caput succedaneum nor facial petechiae are rare findings in healthy newborns. In the forensic investigation of suspected neonaticide, their potential significance can only be ascertained together with further investigations of the circumstances of death and a thorough forensic pathological autopsy.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Ingrid Kaul from the Institute for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology in Cologne for the support in data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Melatengürtel 60-62, 50823, Cologne, Germany

    Matthias Wisser, Markus A. Rothschild & Sibylle Banaschak

  2. Krankenhaus der Augustinerinnen, Gynecology and maternity clinic, Jakobstraße 27-31, 50678, Cologne, Germany

    Jan C. Schmolling

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  1. Matthias Wisser
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  2. Markus A. Rothschild
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  4. Sibylle Banaschak
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Correspondence to Sibylle Banaschak.

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Wisser, M., Rothschild, M.A., Schmolling, J.C. et al. Caput succedaneum and facial petechiae—birth-associated injuries in healthy newborns under forensic aspects. Int J Legal Med 126, 385–390 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0651-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0651-9

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