Abortion and Infanticide
Definition of Abortion
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo before it can survive outside the uterus.
Methods of Abortion
- Medical Abortion: Administration of drugs to terminate a pregnancy.
- Surgical Abortion: Surgical removal of the fetus and placenta from the uterus.
- Induced Abortion: Intentional termination of a pregnancy.
- Spontaneous Abortion: Natural termination of a pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms of Abortion
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal cramps
- Back pain
- Mild fever
- Nausea and vomiting
Medicolegal Importance
- Proof of pregnancy and termination are crucial in medicolegal cases.
- Determination of gestational age is essential in medicolegal cases.
Signs of Live Birth
- Crowning: The fetal head becomes visible at the vaginal opening.
- Delivery of the shoulders: The delivery of the fetal shoulders.
- Delivery of the body: The delivery of the rest of the body.
- First cry: The first cry of the newborn.
- Breathing: The newborn takes its first breath.
Regulations of MTP Act 1971
- Definition of pregnancy: Pregnancy is defined as the period from the first day of the last menstrual period.
- Gestational age: The gestational age for abortion is 20 weeks or less.
- Medical termination: The medical termination of pregnancy is allowed only in cases where there is a substantial risk to the life of the woman or the fetus is likely to suffer from severe physical or mental disability.
- Medical committee: A medical committee is required to certify that the termination of pregnancy is necessary.
Battered Baby Syndrome
- Definition: Battered baby syndrome is a condition where a child is injured or killed by a parent or caregiver due to physical or emotional abuse.
- Signs: Fractures, bruises, burns, and other injuries.
- Medicolegal importance: Determination of the cause of death or injury is essential in medicolegal cases.
Cot Death
- Definition: Cot death is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant under the age of one.
- Causes: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, and accidental suffocation.
- Signs: No external signs of injury or trauma.
- Medicolegal importance: Determination of the cause of death is essential in medicolegal cases.
Munchausen's Syndrome
- Definition: Munchausen's syndrome is a condition where a person fabricates or exaggerates symptoms of illness or injury for attention or sympathy.
- Signs: Fabrication of symptoms, seeking medical attention, and hospitalization.
- Medicolegal importance: Determination of the authenticity of symptoms is essential in medicolegal cases.