Resumen de Coexistence of Subdural Hematoma and a Rare Cardiopathy in an Infant: Etiological and French Medicolegal Discussion
Lucile Tuchtan, Catherine Lebreton, Barthélemy Tosello, Marjolaine Oger, Marie-Dominique Piercecchi-Marti, Christophe Bartoli
During legal proceedings following the unexpected death of an infant, the magistrate calls on an expert to clarify the causes of death and to decide on the course to be taken. A report was made following the death of a 7-month-old baby girl after recovery from cardiac arrest when investigations of the cause revealed a subdural hematoma (SDH). We discuss the interconnection of these two entities and their role in the lethal process. In this infant, two distinct lesions with medicolegal implications were simultaneously present: on the one hand histiocytoid cardiopathy, and on the other hand SDH, which could result from ill-treatment. The case of this infant reminds us that the role of the pediatrician is to report the suspicion, whereas the role of the medical expert is to inform the magistrate as to the reality of abuse and its implication in the lethal process.
