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Scholars Journal of Medical Case Reports | Volume-3 | Issue-04
Maceration- Surest Sign of IUD
Kamal Singla, S. K. Dhattarwal
Published: April 30, 2015 |
141
215
DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2015.v03i04.019
Pages: 349-350
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Abstract
All ante-partum (beyond 28 weeks) and intra-partum deaths for practical purposes are termed as intrauterine
deaths. The cause of intrauterine death (IUD) is reported to be unknown in 25-60% of all cases. The cases where a cause
is clearly determined, the cause of intrauterine death (IUD) can be referred to fetal, maternal, or placental pathology. One
of the maternal factor which also causes a significant proportion to intrauterine fetal death is trauma to mother may be in
the accidental, suicidal or homicidal manner. Most intrauterine death happens in full term pregnancies. In the present
case trauma in the form of accidental thermal burns to mother leads to fetal loss. A great challenge occurs on the part of
forensic pathologist when he/she received such dead fetus in the mortuary for post-mortem examination (to determine
whether the fetus was dead, still or live born). Maceration is the process of aseptic autolysis which begins to occur as
soon as an undelivered infant dies and considered to be the surest sign of intrauterine fetal death. It arises secondary to
the effects of autolytic enzymes. Since this process occurs in what is usually a sterile environment, the changes which
arise are unlike those which occur following other deaths.