DEATH IN THE BATHTUB INVOLVING CHILDREN

Retrospective analysis of 215 deaths in the bathtub (Institute of Fore nsic Medicine, University of Cologne, 1980-1993) revealed 12 fatalitie s involving children, seven boys and five girls, aged from 9 months to 13 years. The manner and cause of death was seven accidents (five by drowning, two by scalding burns), two natural deaths (epilepsy, heart failure due to Hurler's syndrome), one homicide (stabbing) and two und etermined cases (one probable seizure, one subdural hematoma associate d with signs of maltreatment). Seven children < 4 years old died witho ut exception from accidental drowning or scalding. Three toddlers had been left alone and unattended in the bathtub for a 'short time' (less than or equal to 15 min) and two in the care of elder siblings. The i mmersion time and the amount of water required to cause lethal drownin g are expressed in the terms of pathophysiology.