Review of 89 autopsies of child deaths from violence and neglect in the Suez Canal area, Egypt

AbstractIn Egypt there are no true data about the incidences of child deaths from violence and neglect. The study aims to investigate child deaths associated with violence or neglect. Cases of suspected child deaths from 2000 to 2007 in the Suez Canal area were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were collected from the database of the Forensic Institution of Port-Said. A medico-legal autopsy had been carried out for all cases. Of the 89 cases, 56 were males and 33 were females.Resultsrevealed that child deaths were 41.6% in newborns less than one month old, 29.2% in the age group between 15 and 18years old, and 5.6% in the age group between 10 and 14years old. The majority of perpetrators were unknown (44.95%), followed by victim’s colleagues and neighbors (22.47%). Neglect with no outward signs represented the majority of child deaths (41.57%). Blunt trauma used in an abusive manner during street arguments was the second cause of homicidal deaths (19.1%).The highest rate of child deaths was in newborns and early youth. There is need for further examination of child fatality profiles associated with abuse and neglect in this age group and an increase in community outreach efforts to prevent fatal child abuse in Egypt

Adult sex identification using digital radiographs of the proximal epiphysis of the femur at Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt

AbstractSex identification is an important step toward establishing identity from unknown human remains. The study was performed to test accuracy of sex identification using digital radiography of proximal epiphysis of femur among known cross-sectional population at Suez Canal region. Seventy-two radiographs of femur of living non-pathologic individuals were included. Original sample was divided into two equal groups of females and males (24 each). Test sample (group 3) included 24 radiographs. Six landmarks (A–F) were selected and 15 distances were generated representing all possible combinations of these landmarks. A is a point on the shaft under lower end of lesser trochanter, B is a point on the shaft. A–B is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. C and D are points on femoral neck. E and F are points on femoral head. In original sample, mean and standard deviation were calculated, then accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. In test sample, the 15 distances were used to identify sex of that radiograph according to the cut-off value made from original sample.In original sample, CE and EF were most distinctive measurements for sexual dimorphism. AB and CF showed least accuracy (66.7% and 70.8%). BF, CE and EF were most sensitive for identification.In test sample, CE and EF showed 100% accuracy. AB and CF showed least accuracy (54.2% and 62.5%). AC, AE, BC, BE, BF, CE and EF were most sensitive for identification.Digital radiography of femur can be an alternative measurement used in sex identification in Egyptian population

Evaluation of ethical and legal perspectives of physician–patient relationship on Arabic Health Websites

AbstractIntroductionThe internet is becoming an increasingly popular tool for health seekers. Research on health websites raises ethical debate about the quality of information on the Websites. This work aimed to evaluate Arabic Health Websites from ethical and legal perspectives and evaluate the physician–patient relationship on the web.MethodsThis is a descriptive study. A Google and Yahoo search for the term “Arabic Health Websites” in Arabic language was performed and 430 relevant websites were accessed. They were evaluated using a checklist designed by research team based on E-Health Code of Ethics, 2000 to evaluate candor, honesty, quality of information, privacy, informed consent and professionalism in online healthcare.ResultsAuthors were mentioned in 21.4% of sample and 90% of sites did not mention when the information was last updated. It was noticed that 9.5% of sites mentioned collects data from users and whether data is shared with others or not. The limitations of consultation were mentioned in only 17.7%. The present study revealed that 42.5% of websites assured that healthcare providers obey the laws and regulations governing professional licensing and prescribing.ConclusionThis study revealed poor coverage of most evaluated items