Heatstroke due to Vehicular Entrapment: An Autopsy Case Report

Heatstroke is defined as severe heat illness with elevated body temperature greater than 40.6?C associated\r\nwith central nervous system dysfunction. In children, heatstroke as a result of vehicular entrapment is\r\ncommonly encountered. We report a case of a six-year-old boy who was accidentally left in a school van\r\nunder scorching hot afternoon for several hours. Upon discovery, he was rushed to a hospital where he was\r\npronounced dead. His body temperature taken at the Emergency Department was 40.3?C. The body felt\r\nwarm in spite of apparent presence of post mortem changes such as rigor and livor mortis. His clothes were\r\ndrenched in sweat. A medico-legal autopsy was performed. On general examination, his body was pale and\r\nthe lips were also parched and pale. Internally, there was subdural haemorrhage and petechial haemorrhages\r\non the lungs and the epicardial surface of the heart. The cause of death was given as heatstroke as a result of\r\nvehicular entrapment. We wish to emphasize and appeal to the public that this tragic incident is preventable.\r\nPublic and private sectors should help creating awareness of dangers in leaving a child unattended in a car