A retrospective analysis of drowning deaths in Imphal

Abstract

Background: Drowning is a major cause of death worldwide and it is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. Different factors are responsible for causing death due to drowning. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of death due to drowning in relation to epidemiological factors and to find out postmortem examination findings and manner of death of such cases. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of drowning deaths brought to the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Imphal was conducted for 10 years. Data obtained were entered in a pro forma and later analyzed statistically. Results: In this study period, there were 110 cases of drowning cases. Male: female ratio was 10:1. The highest number of victims was observed in the age group of 21-30 years and the maximum number occurred in rivers, i.e., 54.54%. In 67.27% of the cases, there were signs of asphyxia and in 40% of the cases, froth was present around the mouth and nostrils. Cadaveric spasm which was considered the surest sign of antemortem drowning was observed in only 2.72%. Lungs were found to be voluminous in 77.27% of the cases. Maximum occurred in the rainy season. Conclusion: The manner of death could not be ascertained in the present study however from history, most of the cases seem to be accidental. Public awareness and water safety measures need to be improved to prevent drowning deaths.