pica and Asphyxia

We describe an 8-year-old white boy with a history of fetal alcohol syndrome and pica, who was found dead on the floor by his mother. The child died from massive intestinal dilatation causing asphyxia. We discuss the potential pathogenetic mechanisms of intestinal dilation in patients with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Topics: Asphyxia; Child; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Foreign Bodies; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction; Male; Pica

We present the case of a 42-year-old man, with a medical history of schizophrenic psychosis, who was found dead on the floor of his bedroom. At the autopsy, a bottle lid with a notched edge was found in the lower pharynx, partially obstructing the larynx and thus keeping the epiglottis in an open position. Airway obstruction was caused by edema and inflammation of the surrounding tissue. After removal of the foreign body, the tissue of the larynx was left with an impression of the bottle lid. The adjacent mucosa was swollen, hyperemic, partly necrotic, and covered with fibrin deposits. Also, foreign bodies were found in the stomach. The histological analysis of the hypopharynx showed severe nonspecific inflammation and necrosis of epithelium. The cause of death was a complication of subacute laryngeal obstruction caused by a foreign body.

Topics: Adult; Airway Obstruction; Asphyxia; Fatal Outcome; Foreign Bodies; Gastrointestinal Contents; Humans; Male; Pica; Schizophrenic Psychology

Topics: Acceleration; Accidents; Accidents, Traffic; Asphyxia; Child; Child, Preschool; Deficiency Diseases; Drowning; England; Environmental Health; Female; Fires; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lead Poisoning; Male; Mortality; Pediatrics; Pica; Poisoning; Radiation Effects; Wales

Topics: Accidents, Home; Affective Symptoms; Aggression; Asphyxia; Child; Child Care; Child Psychiatry; Child, Preschool; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Parent-Child Relations; Pica; Poisoning; Psychology